HK Cyclists Yang Chu-yao, Wu Si-wing Crash Out of Asian Games Keirin Semis
AM730 · 3 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong cyclists Yang Chu-yao (楊礎搖) and Wu Si-wing (吳思穎) crashed during the women's Keirin semifinal at the Nagoya Asian Games on Wednesday, September 30, at the Shizuoka Prefecture Izu Velodrome. The collision occurred in the final two laps when the riders made contact during a battle for position, sending both to the ground. Medical staff rushed onto the track with a stretcher, though both cyclists were ultimately able to continue. In the placement race that followed, Yang finished first in her group to claim seventh overall, while Wu took third for ninth place overall. Yang, who had been considered a strong medal contender, was visibly upset after the incident and spoke of her disappointment to the press.
Key Points
- Yang Chu-yao qualified for the semifinal by finishing second in her qualifying heat with a time of 11.109 seconds
- Wu Si-wing advanced through the repechage, winning her group with a time of 11.917 seconds
- Both HK cyclists were placed in the same semifinal group, where only the top three finishers would advance to the medal round
- Wu sustained relatively more serious injuries, requiring assistance from staff to leave the velodrome
- Yang suffered abrasions to her legs and hands, along with dizziness, but indicated she would continue competing with pain relief if necessary
- The crash was triggered when a Chinese Taipei rider pressed forward, leaving Yang caught in a squeeze with her teammates
- On the same day, Hong Kong diver Chan Tsz-ming (陳梓銘) finished fifth in the women's 3m springboard final with 228.25 points
- Hong Kong's men's sprint duo Yan Jun-ho (翁浚皓) and Du Zhao-xi (杜棹熙), who won bronze on the first day, were eliminated in the individual sprint competition
- E-sports representatives from Hong Kong have been eliminated from all events, including League of Legends where they lost to South Korea even without star player Faker
Why It Matters
This incident deals a significant blow to Hong Kong's cycling programme in the post-Lee Wai Sze era, as Yang was expected to be a major medal hope for the team . With the next Asian Games five years away, the 26-year-old Yang expressed uncertainty about whether she would still be competing, highlighting the human cost of narrowly missing out on an Olympic-level podium in a sport where Hong Kong has historically punched above its weight .
This incident deals a significant blow to Hong Kong's cycling programme in the post-Lee Wai Sze era, as Yang was expected to be a major medal hope for the team . With the next Asian Games five years away, the 26-year-old Yang expressed uncertainty about whether she would still be competing, highlighting the human cost of narrowly missing out on an Olympic-level podium in a sport where Hong Kong has historically punched above its weight .