China off to golden start on first day of Asian Games

(From left) Silver medalist team India's Ramita, Mehuli Ghosh, Ashi Chouksey, gold medalist team China's Jiayu Han, Yuting Huang, Zhilin Wang and bronze medalist team Mongolia's Narantuya Chuluunbadrakh, Yesugen Oyunbat, Nandinzaya Ganhuyag pose with their medals during the awards ceremony of the women's 10-meter air rifle team final at the Fuyang Yinhu Sports Centre in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

HANGZHOU, China (AFP): The first gold medals at the Asian Games were all won by host nation China on Sunday in rowing, shooting and wushu after President Xi Jinping opened the two-week multisport extravaganza in a colourful ceremony.

China claimed the first gold when Zou Jiaqi and Qiu Xiuping dominated the women's lightweight double sculls rowing final to kick off an expected medal rush for the hosts in Hangzhou.