MANAMA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- China secured six gold medals at the 3rd Asian Youth Games on Wednesday, consolidating its lead on the medal table. A highlight came from the table tennis hall, where Chinese pairs swept the gold and silver medals in mixed doubles.
Li Hechen and Yao Ruixuan overcame their compatriots Tang Yiren and Hu Yi to clinch the title, giving China a one-two finish.
"This Asian Youth Games features athletes born between 2009 and 2011, the same age group as next year's Youth Olympic Games," said coach Liu Bin. "The events are identical to those in the Youth Olympics. The Chinese Table Tennis Association and the national team attached great importance to this competition, making strategic preparations. Winning both gold and silver in mixed doubles has fulfilled our first goal and given us a strong start."
Champions Li and Yao said they would not rest on their victory. "The mixed doubles title is just a conclusion for today. Tomorrow we will play the singles semifinals, and we must take it one match at a time," said Li.
China also shone in other sports. Judoka Zhao Zihui claimed gold in the women's 44kg category, while swimmer Sun Mingxia triumphed in the women's 100m backstroke, and China also won the mixed 4x100m medley relay. In wrestling, Huang Xin and Zhao Min took the women's freestyle 43kg and 69kg crowns, respectively.
With Wednesday's victories, China continues to top the medal tally with 54 gold, 42 silver and 26 bronze medals, followed by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. ■
