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S Korean cyclists win twice, Chinese Li makes history
  12-14 22:41
 

    DOHA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korean cyclists dominated the track by taking two gold medals, while Li Yan awarded China its first women's points Asiad title at the 15th Asian Games here on Thursday.

    South Korean Jang Sun Jae and Park Sung Baek scored 35 points to take the men's madison gold medal and their teammate Kang Gong Jin later crowned in the men's keirin.

    The South Korean duo cooperated well enough to collect 15 points in the first three sprints and kept their leading position throughout.

    "We got a pretty good start, which gave us some advantage over other teams," said Jang who has won two gold medals in Doha from the men's individual and team pursuits.

    "I am happy to win the third one, and the glory should go to all my teammates. Without them, I could not win here," added Jang.

    Ilya Chernyshov and Alexey Lyalko of Kazakhstan got the silver in 21 points while the bronze medal went to Mehdi Sohrabi and AmirZargari of Iran in 17 points.

    In the last cycling final of the Asiad, Kang Dong Jin of South Korea won the men's keirin gold medal from the derny, a small motorbike, as he dashed out to take his leading position before a final sprint at the last lap.

    "I'm really happy to take my first gold medal in the Asian Games. I kept my speed well, and did not give them any chance to overtake," said Kang, who earlier won a bronze medal in the men's 1km individual time trial.

    Josiah Ng Onn Lam of Malaysia took the silver while the bronze went to Hiroyuki Inagaki of Japan.

    In the other final of the last-day cycling competitions, Li Yan became the first Chinese to win the Asian Games women's points race.

    "To win this gold medal means a lot to me. It's my pleasure to be the first woman to win this gold for China," said Li.

    Against a slow start, the Asian champion, who ranked sixth in the world, demonstrated her endurance and stamina to collect 18 points from the last four sprints for a winning total of 24 points. Lee Min Hye of South Korea finished second in 23 points, followed by Chanpeng Nontasin of Thailand in 11 points.

    "In the beginning, the South Korean cyclist (Lee) gave me some pressure. I knew her well, and she almost beat me. I was lucky to make enough points in the last four laps," added Li.

    "I rode pretty bad today. I was leading during the race, so I expected to win. The Chinese rider (Li Yan) sprinted and won over me," said Lee.

    "I need more training. I am still young. The race is not over. I can do better," added the Korean cyclist.

    Li's teammate Wang Jianling, who ranked 15th in the world, finished 9th in the event.

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