SHENYANG –Uzbekistan took the first gold medal of the 2025 Asian Rowing U19 and U23 Championships, while Vietnam swept 6 titles, half of the 12 golds on offer in the first-day finals on Saturday.

  In the first 2,000-meter final of the U19 Men’s Single Sculls, Jamalbek TURGUNOV(UZB) edged out LEE Kyeonghun (KOR), silver medalist last year, by three seconds in 6:48.75. His first title of the championships also made up for his regret last year.

  “I'm very grateful for the gold, since I quit the finallast year because of a minor mishap. This year I found the power of wind and took a small lead to win,”said TURGUNOV.

  Uzbekistan also won two more golds from the men’s events of U19 Eight and U23 Coxless Pair.

  Host China wrapped up two U19 Quadruple Sculls golds in both genders. When its men team surged ahead from the 1,000m mark to win by a half-boat advantage over runners-up Uzbekistan, the Chinese women’s team only sped up during the last 500 meters to overtake Vietnam for the lead, and won the event in 6:37.59. Vietnam was edged to second in 6:40.64.

  However, Vietnam has become the biggest winner by taking five out of the six U23 titles due to the absence of the Chinese rowers who were tuning up for the National Games two months away, combining to halve the dozen gold medals on Saturday together with its victory in the Women’s U19 Eight.

  In the U23 categories, Vietnam triumphed five times in both men’s and women’s Double Sculls and Coxless Four as well as women’s Coxless Pair.

  The other gold medal of the day went to Iran through Soha FAKHRI in U19 Women’s Single Sculls.

  The last 12 golds will be awarded on Sunday, the final day of the 2025 Asian Rowing U19 and U23 Championships.

  OISyouyang