China’s Wang Xin guns for Asian Games badminton gold

GUANGZHOU: Chinese women's world number one Wang Xin guns for Asian Games badminton gold.

On Day 8 of the multi-sport showpiece, hosts China have an unassailable lead at the top of the medals table with 127 gold to South Korea's 43 and Japan's 24.

Iran has jumped to eight after recent success in weightlifting and taekwondo, while Indonesia picked up its third gold Saturday in the 250m men's dragon boat.

So far, 28 of the 45 nations and territories in Guangzhou have got themselves on the podium, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Laos.

Another 30 titles are up for grabs on Saturday, in synchronized swimming, badminton, billiard sports, road cycling, dragon boat, equestrian, fencing, golf, sailing, sepaktakraw, table tennis, and taekwondo

China is guaranteed gold in women's badminton with Wang facing teammate Wang Shixian in the women's singles final.

The men play the semi-finals with world number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia up against China's world number two Chen Jin while pin-up Lin Dan takes on South Korea's Park Sung-Hwan.

Lin, who has won world and Olympic titles but never an Asiad crown, is wary of the Park.

"He is a very dangerous opponent, because he is an excellent athlete," said the Chinese star.

"Although he is not as famous as Lee Chong Wei and Chen Jin, he must be a dark horse, so it is very tough to compete with him."

The men's doubles gold medal will also be decided and it will go to either Malaysia or Indonesia with the top-ranked Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong facing Markis Kido and his partner Hendra Setiawan.

Focus will also be on the Aoti Hockey Field where bitter rivals India and Pakistan play a group B clash with a semi-final place at stake.