Nagoya:National hammer thrower Grace Wong Xiu Mei's determination to achieve a podium finish and set a new national record affected her performance in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games final.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Grace ended the competition in seventh place with a 64.15-meter throw on her third attempt at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. Despite her initial disappointment, she views this as a positive outcome, especially after undergoing rehabilitation for a calf injury since February.
"This (64.15m) is my season's best," Grace commented, expressing her mixed feelings about not achieving a new national record. Her focus on reaching the podium and breaking her own record of 65.41m, set at the Bangkok SEA Games in 2025, led to nervousness that impacted her technique.
Acknowledging the level of competition, Grace noted that the medalists were in a different class, with Japan's Joy McArthur securing bronze with a throw of 68.42m. "Even if I had set a new national record, I still wouldn't get on the podium," she admitted.
Grace's performance has nonetheless bolstered her confidence following her absence from the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games due to injury. She credited her training in Ningxia, China, with coach Gu Yuan for her preparation, as he is well-acquainted with her physical condition and training needs.
China's Zhang Jiale won gold with a throw of 78.72m, breaking her own Asian record, while Zhao Jie took silver with a 74.83m effort.