National Games challenge clearer for Hong Kong’s Chiu after rowing championships finish

Chiu Hin-chun left the World Rowing Championships on Sunday, disappointed in his own performance and with a much clearer idea of the challenge he faces at the National Games in November.

While the Hongkonger won his men’s lightweight single sculls B final in Shanghai on Saturday, leaving him seventh out of 16 competitors, China’s Gu Jiantao bested him in both the heats and semi-finals before finishing fifth in the A race.

Chiu, a two-time Olympian, crossed the line in seven minutes, 7.33 seconds, and Gu came home in 7:09.63 in a fast final won by 2022 under-23 world champion Felipe Kluver of Uruguay in 6:54.10. Austria’s Julian Schoeberl was second in 6:57.85, and Ireland’s Jake McCarthy rounded out the podium on Dianshan Lake in 6:59.07.

Not that the difference in times between the pair reveals much. In their heat, Gu, who was making his World Championships debut and will represent Sichuan in November, finished the 2,000m Dianshan Lake course in 6:56.43, with Chiu following behind in 7:00.39.

“Looking back at the three national races this year, Gu was the fastest among all,” the 31-year-old Hongkonger said. “I was a bit off him when we were rowing towards the finish line [in the heats].

“So this could be something for me and my coach to reflect on, and see how we can prepare better in the next month and plan ahead in preparing for the Games.”