Sawt Falasteen - Chopra lives up to star billing as three doping cases rattle Games

Chopra's successful defence of his crown sealed a memorable day for India, their 81 medals in total their best in Games history and with four days still to go.

Chopra was under pressure after teammate Kishore Kumar Jena produced a huge personal best of 86.77 metres, which he would later improve to 87.54m and eventual silver.

But Chopra responded with a season-best 88.88m -- longer than the 88.17m that won him the world title at Budapest in August and the 87.58m that earned gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

He was delighted though for his compatriot.

"I was feeling great for him. We hugged each other as we both won medals for India," said Chopra.

"We have to push ourselves as well as each other.

"I had a feeling that I would have a good day today."

Olympic high-jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim was another hot favourite who did not disappoint, clearing a new Games record 2.35m for his third Asian Games gold.

"We are very greedy as athletes and always want more, more, more," said the Qatari.

"That's the nature of it and I love it.

- 'Life is complete' -

India's medal-laden day started when they defeated archery powerhouses South Korea.

South Korea dominated the sport at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, snaring four of the five golds.

But the Koreans were no match for India in the gold-medal match of the mixed-team compound event, the Indian duo of Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam squeezing to victory 159-158.

North Korea won their fifth weightlifting gold in Hangzhou -- and the country's ninth overall -- when Ri Chong Song finished streets ahead of the field in the men's 81kg division.

Ri sealed gold with a 364kg total, then failed with two world record clean and jerk attempts at 210kg.

Hong Kong's Yang Qianyu streaked to gold in the women's cycling road race, on what she said later was her last Asian Games.

Yang sniffled and fought back tears on the podium.

"Today I feel like my life is complete," said the 30-year-old.

There was a surprise in the badminton last 16, with Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia fighting back from a game down to defeat world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn 10-21, 21-19, 21-6.

"Everyone could see I was very exhausted," said the Thai.

China have enjoyed a hugely successful Games on home soil, capturing 171 golds and counting, but they suffered a rare setback in the men's basketball semi-finals.

The Philippines fought back at the death to triumph 77-76 -- and leave the watching Chinese basketball star Yao Ming looking disgusted.

- Doping cases grow -

Four athletes at the Games have now failed drugs tests, with three announced in just the last 24 hours.

Uzbek cyclist Aleksey Fomovskiy and Philippine mountain-bike rider Ariana Evangelista were the latest two, said the International Testing Agency, which handles some aspects of doping control at the Games.

Saudi distance runner Mohammed Yousef Alasiri and Afghan boxer Mohammad Khaibar Nooristani also tested positive for banned performance-enhancing substances.

All four have been provisionally suspended and have the right to request the analysis of their B sample.

It typically takes several days for a failed test to come through, meaning more are likely in the coming days.

V.AbuAwwad--SF-PST