Jia Rong shrugs off hip, visa issues to make solid Asiad debut

NAGOYA: Wushu exponent Lee Jia Rong was relieved to have completed her Asian Games debut after a challenging road to Nagoya that included a visa issue that saw her being briefly stranded in China.

Jia Rong's routine scored a commendable 9.670 from the judges at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall to finish 10th - the highest-placed Malaysian in the women's changquan final on Monday.

Her teammate Loh Ying Ting finished 11th on 9.666.

Jia Rong, whose preferred discipline is the daoshu, said she could not have performed any better on the day.

"I felt a bit tight, I was a bit nervous as this is my first time competing at the Asian Games," said Jia Rong.

"But I am happy with my performance overall as this is not my best event. I really put on a performance and did not make any mistakes. I performed even better than I did in training.

"I was also really happy to compete alongside my senior Ying Ting in a very tough event."

The 22-year-old admitted that she went through some challenging moments in the lead-up to the Games.

She struggled with a hip injury as well as a visa misunderstanding that saw her being briefly stranded in China during a recent training camp.

"I actually had a valid visa, however, there was some miscommunication and I had to spend about 10 hours in a police station there (China) before it was sorted out," said Jia Rong.

"But as a result, I missed my flight and had to wait a few more days for the next flight. But it was okay as my coach stayed back with me.

"I have had a hip injury for about a month now, I have not really got it checked as I wanted to focus on preparing for the Asian Games.

"It does not hurt too much when I perform or train, but I do feel sharp pain after training. But I don't need painkillers."

Hong Kong's Lydia Sham won the changquan gold on 9.713 with Macau's Sou Cho Man coming in a close second (9.710). Eugenia Diva from Indonesia finished third (9.706).

Tan Cheong Min will carry Malaysia's medal hopes in the women's nanquan and nandao final on Tuesday.

The world champion is hoping to finish on the Asian Games podium once again after winning silver in the same event at the Hangzhou Games.