China’s recent dominance of Asian track cycling continues at the 2026 Asian Games, with Yuan Liying and Wang Lijuan again taking gold and silver in women’s keirin – just as they did at Asian continental championships in March.
Wang, in the black helmet, was drawn in position one for the final, and led the race until the final few metres.
Yuan waited patiently towards the back, allowing the Malaysian pair of Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri and Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid to tussle for position with Haruka Nakazawa.
Wang climbed out of the saddle to up the pace with a lap and a half remaining, forcing Yuan to do the same. Yuan still had a lot of work to do as they entered the final lap, with Wang and Izzah Izzati opening up a gap of several lengths.
But she was able to close the gap in the back straight, and the three were side by side, entering the home straight. Yuan’s momentum out of the final bend took her up the outside, catching Wang with only a handful of metres left.
She took gold by half a wheel – continuing China’s 100 per cent record in the Izu Velodrome so far, with five wins from five events.
Izzah Izzati held on for bronze, claiming Malaysia’s first Asian Games medal in women’s keirin since 2014. Nakazawa was fourth: her teenage compatriot Minami Yamada failed to make the medal race, and could only manage fifth in the minor final.
