China's Wu Yu enjoyed an afternoon stroll to the first boxing gold of the Asian Games yesterday, then set her sights on winning an Olympic title in Paris.
In a pulsating day of action at Hangzhou Gymnasium, world champion Hasanboy Dusmatov of Uzbekistan stepped up his quest for a first Asiad gold by reaching the men's flyweight (50kg) semi-finals. But the 2016 Olympic champion said he was unhappy with a schedule that will force him to fight three days in a row to win gold.
Wu barely broke sweat and her face was completely unmarked after her women's flyweight final against Thailand's Chuthamat Raksat thrilled a large crowd who created a raucous atmosphere.
All five judges scored it 30-27 in favor of the Chinese, who won the world championship in the non-Olympic 52kg weight class earlier this year. "It was as comfortable as it looked," Wu said. "But I am still not satisfied with my performance."
Wu's gold was the first of 13 in a boxing competition where not only medals are available, but also Olympic qualification for Paris next year. There are 20 women's berths available in six weight divisions and 14 places in seven divisions for the men.
"My focus now is on winning gold at Paris 2024," said Wu. "I was very proud on the podium that I could live up to my country's expectations."
Dusmatov easily beat Pakistan's Zohaib Rasheed, but the 30-year-old will have less than 24 hours to recover for a semi-final against Japan's Tomoya Tsuboi today, with the gold medal bout set tomorrow.
"It will be difficult because we have to lose weight for each bout, but generally I feel very good," Dusmatov said.
Asked if he was unhappy with the tight schedule, he said: "Of course, because we can get injuries and it is difficult to be fully healthy for all these fights every day.
"We should have some time to recover. I am a little bit upset about this."
In cricket, explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed seven sixes in a sublime maiden T20 century as India's men opened their campaign with a 23-run defeat of gutsy Nepal.
Pakistan also reached the semi-finals, crushing Hong Kong by 68 runs with all-rounder Khushdil Shah taking three for 13.
Meanwhile, Shanti Pereira was celebrating after winning Singapore's first athletics gold in 49 years at the Games.
Pereira, 27, won gold in the 200 meters after quitting her job as a copywriter this year to become a full-time athlete.
Read: Historic football match for HK
Wu Yu, left, fights Chuthamat Raksat for the gold. AP
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