Chan Tsz-ching Claims Historic Sanda Bronze at Asian Games
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's Chan Tsz-ching made history on Wednesday by claiming bronze in the women's 52kg sanda event at the Asian Games, securing the city's first-ever medal in this Chinese kickboxing discipline. The debutant defeated opponents from Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan in straight rounds to advance to the semifinals, where she lost to Iran's Sogand Sinkaeichetan. With no bronze-medal playoff in sanda, her semifinal appearance had already guaranteed a podium finish. The achievement also qualified her for a HK$250,000 award under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme .
Key Points
- Chan Tsz-ching defeated opponents from Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan in straight rounds to reach the women's 52kg sanda semifinals
- Her semifinal loss to Iran's Sogand Sinkaeichetan ended her bid for the gold-medal bout
- Bangladesh's Jinnat Akhter also secured bronze in the same women's 52kg category
- The medal is Hong Kong's first in sanda, also known as Chinese kickboxing combining punches, kicks, and wrestling
- Fellow sanda athlete Leung Yu-hong has also guaranteed at least bronze in the men's 60kg semifinals, bringing the team's tally to four medals
- Chan receives HK$250,000 under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, which awards HK$1 million, HK$500,000, and HK$250,000 for gold, silver, and bronze respectively
Why It Matters
Chan's breakthrough marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong's martial arts programme, expanding the city's medal collection beyond traditional disciplines like wushu. The achievement also provides momentum for the territory's sanda athletes, with Leung Yu-hong still in contention for gold in the men's 60kg category .
Chan's breakthrough marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong's martial arts programme, expanding the city's medal collection beyond traditional disciplines like wushu. The achievement also provides momentum for the territory's sanda athletes, with Leung Yu-hong still in contention for gold in the men's 60kg category .