Doha crowns first Asiad triathlon champions

DOHA, Dec 8 (Reuters) Kazakhstan's Dmitriy Gaag and China's Wang Hongni snapped up the first Asian Games triathlon gold medals when the endurance sport made its debut at the continental event today.

The 35-year-old Gaag, fourth when triathlon made its Olympic debut in Sydney six years ago, emerged from the pack during the 10km run after placing eighth in the 1,500m swim and fourth in the 40km bike ride to win the men's title in 1:50.53.

Hong Kong's Daniel Lee Chi Wo earned silver by pipping Gaag's compatriot Daniil Sapunov by less than two seconds in a sprint finish at the end of the 51.5km event.

Wang, a former cyclist, upset Japanese favourite Ai Ueda by finishing second in the swimming, blowing away the field with a bike ride five minutes better than anyone else and running home more than four minutes ahead of Ueda in a time of 1:59:44.

''I'm very happy, very excited. I just cannot express my feelings,'' said the 24-year-old from Kunming.

''Even though cycling is my strongest point, I felt a lot of stress and it was very difficult. I took the initiative to overcome the others and I was leading at the beginning and I kept it in my mind that 'I am in the lead.''' Asian champion Ueda took silver ahead of compatriot Akiko Sekine, who put in the best time in the run to overhaul China's Xing Lin and claim bronze.

REUTERS DH HS1916