Grace Lau wins third straight Asian Karate title
Grace Lau wins third straight Asian Karate title
Grace Lau performed Chatanyara Kushanku in the final. Photo: Asian Karate Federation
Lau edged Japan's Maho Ono in Doha. Photo: Asian Karate Federation
Hong Kong karate athletes celebrated their wins. Photo: Asian Karate Federation
World number one Grace Lau of Hong Kong, China extended her reign at the Asian Karate Championships in Uzbekistan on Sunday, edging Japan's Maho Ono by 1 point.
Both karatekas performed Chatanyara Kushanku kata, but Lau's mastery narrowly defeated Ono, the world number 2, in their fourth clash this season.
With a score of 42.7, Lau clinched her third consecutive female kata gold at the Asian championships.
Her victory also extended her podium streak to 28 straight international events dating back to February 2020 in Dubai's Karate 1-Premier League.
The result has also anchored the SAR's one gold, three bronze medal tally in the championships.
Wong Cheuk-lee secured bronze in the female kumite -68kg, while Hong Kong, China's women's and men's kata team also claimed bronze.
In a parallel triumph, para-athlete Lam Man-lok wrote history with the city's first-ever gold in the K22 category at the Asian Para Karate Championships, while fellow karateka Lau Yun-lin added bronze in the K10 visually impaired.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
an hour ago
- RTHK
HK held to goalless draw by Nepal in friendly
HK held to goalless draw by Nepal in friendly Despite chances, the SAR were unable to beat Nepal in a friendly at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo courtesy of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China The Hong Kong, China men's footballers were held to a 0-0 draw against Nepal in a friendly at Hong Kong Stadium on Thursday evening. The SAR, ranked 153rd in the world and 22 spots above the visitors, extended their unbeaten run in international competition to nine matches. Right-back Yue Tsz-nam was one of the stars for Hong Kong, making several crucial tackles while being a threat going forward. The SAR's best chance came at the hour mark, but midfielder Ngan Cheuk-pan was unable to find the net off a feed from debutant Manuel Rodriguez. And in a bow to Hong Kong, striker Michael Udebuluzor left the match because of a leg injury and could miss the Asian Cup qualifier against India on Tuesday. Nepal substitute Mani Lama was sent off in stoppage time for his second yellow following a late challenge.
RTHK
12 hours ago
- RTHK
World Cup hopes on the line for China in Jakarta
World Cup hopes on the line for China in Jakarta China's head coach Branko Ivankovic at a training session ahead of his side's clash with Indonesia. Photo: AFP Asian qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup are set to resume on Thursday with China facing Indonesia in a pivotal away match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. According to tournament rules, only the top two in each six-team group advance directly to the World Cup – while the third and fourth-placed teams enter the playoffs. With two matches remaining, Indonesia sits fourth in Group C with nine points while China is level with Bahrain at the bottom on six points. Indonesia hold a three-point lead over China and a seven-goal edge in goal difference. A home win would all but guarantee Indonesia a top-four finish. For China, there is only one way to keep their World Cup hopes alive – win on Indonesian soil. So far, only Japan has managed a win in Jakarta during this qualifying campaign. Indonesia, fueled by passionate home support from around 80,000 fans, has turned its capital into a fortress – beating Saudi Arabia 2-0, edging Bahrain 1-0 and holding Australia to a 0-0 draw. On a humid Jakarta night in front of a raucous crowd – and an energetic Indonesian side bolstered by naturalised talent – the pressure awaiting China is immense. "The first step to reaching the playoffs is winning this match. This demands that we play attacking football, with every player giving their all in running and effort," said head coach Branko Ivankovic, who expressed confidence that his players could transform pressure into motivation. Ivankovic will have to contend with key absences – striker Wu Lei is sidelined with injury, while attacking midfielders Lin Liangming and Xie Wenneng are suspended. As a result, Zhang Yuning and Wei Shihao will bear much of the attacking burden. Fans will be eager to see 18-year-old Wang Yudong, who has impressed in the Chinese Super League, potentially earn his first national team start. His energy and pace could inject much-needed dynamism. The midfield performances of naturalised players Serginho and Yang Mingyang will also be vital. "This is a battle for survival," Zhang emphasised. "Victory is the only option – there's no room for retreat." He added that, as the away side, China must turn pressure into momentum and showcase the results of training and unity as a team. "We focused on key techniques like offense, defence and set-pieces," the midfielder said. "We've performed well, but in matches, we must be able to adapt flexibly to on-the-spot situations." Though the task is daunting, it is not beyond reach. In their previous Group C meeting with Indonesia, China – then mired in a three-match losing streak – came out aggressively, scoring twice in the first half before holding on for a 2-1 win. (Xinhua)
RTHK
17 hours ago
- RTHK
Chelsea win race to sign Ipswich striker Delap
Chelsea win race to sign Ipswich striker Delap Delap scored twelve Premier League goals during his spell with Ipswich. Photo: AFP Chelsea beat off competition from Premier League rivals to sign English striker Liam Delap from Ipswich for a reported fee of US$41 million. Delap, 22, scored 12 Premier League goals during his sole season at Portman Road but could not prevent Ipswich making an immediate return to the Championship. Manchester United and Everton were also reportedly willing to meet the buyout clause in the England under-21 international's contract. But Chelsea have won the race for the former Manchester City forward, bolstering their attacking options ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States, starting later this month. "I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach," said Delap, who has signed a six-year contract, in a Chelsea statement. "It's going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies." The Blues finished fourth in the Premier League and will return to the Champions League next season after a two-year absence. And Enzo Maresca's men last week beat Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final to secure a trophy in the Italian manager's first season in charge. In mid-December Chelsea were within touching distance of eventual Premier League champions Liverpool before hitting a rocky patch. They finished the season strongly, securing a top-five spot on the final day of the season but were hamstrung by their lack of a clinical number nine. Senegal international Nicolas Jackson scored just 10 times in 30 Premier League appearances, while Christopher Nkunku looks set to leave the club after an underwhelming two-year spell. Delap, the son of former Stoke midfielder Rory Delap, began his career at Manchester City but struggled to break into Pep Guardiola's star-studded first team. After loan spells in the second tier with Stoke, Preston and Hull, he was snapped up by Ipswich after they won promotion to the Premier League a year ago. Delap was one of the few success stories for the Tractor Boys during a difficult season as they were relegated back to the Championship with just 22 points. Chelsea will face Flamengo, LAFC and ES Tunis in the group stages of the Club World Cup, which gets underway on June 14. (AFP)
