Japan, Hong Kong and Korea all maintained 100% records in the men’s competition as rugby sevens took centre stage at the Asian Games.
The gold medallists for the last three Asian Games, Japan, got off to a flying start on day one, scoring 139 unanswered points in their two wins – 92-0 over Indonesia and 47-0 against Malaysia.
Kosuke Hashino scored a hat-trick in their win over Malaysia, and against Indonesia, a win that was the largest in the history of the Asian Games, Chihito Matsui and Naoki Motomura also scored hat-tricks.
For Indonesia, Buldan Yanto made history scoring their first-ever try in the Games and their captain Nanda Siregar was proud of his side’s debut at the Asian Games.
“This has been amazing, I can make my country proud,” said Siregar.
We didn’t get the win but we gave a chance for rugby in Indonesia. Against Japan it is tough, but we must move on and learn from this. We were unlucky today but are glad to be having this opportunity.”
Silver medallists Hong Kong and bronze medallists from 2014 and 2010 Hong Kong and Korea also won both of their opening two matches.
Yiu Salom and Max Denmark scored hat-tricks as Hong Kong beat Pakistan 64-5, while the day ended with Korea’s narrow 31-26 win over Sri Lanka.
In the women’s competition Japan and China were the only two sides to achieve two wins from two beating Indonesia and Kazakhstan, and Korea and Hong Kong respectively.
Japan had five different try scorers in their 31-21 win over Kazakhstan, but the day’s biggest win went to China as they won 69-0 against Korea in the first game of the competition.
Keyi Chen, who played a pivotal role in helping China qualify for next season’s World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series scoring a hat-trick in the win.
Full Fixtures and Results
Results
Women’s
China 69-0 Korea
Hong Kong 26-7 Singapore
Japan 65-0 Indonesia
Kazakhstan 20-5 Thailand
Singapore 22-17 Korea
China 32-7 Hong Kong
Thailand 53-5 Indonesia
Japan 31-21 Kazakhstan
Men’s
China 40-7 Thailand
Hong Kong 64-5 Pakistan
Malaysia 17-10 Chinese Taipei
Japan 92-0 Indonesia
Sri Lanka 68-0 UAE
Korea 42-5 Afghanistan
Thailand 43-0 Pakistan
Hong Kong 42-17 China
Chinese Taipei 41-26 Indonesia
Japan 47-0 Malaysia
UAE 0-36 Afghanistan
Photo Credit: Click Images
