Xu Wins 4th Gold Medal; China’s Asian Games Total Is 46

SEOUL, South Korea — China, led by quadruple gold medalist Xu Haipeng, and a near-sweep of the rowing competition, increased its medal lead Thursday in the 10th Asian Games.

Overall, the Chinese won 14 gold medals for the day--7 in rowing, 2 in shooting and 1 each in diving, swimming, fencing, tennis and weightlifting.

That gave them a total of 46 golds, with 9 days still left in the 16-day Games. They also have 32 silvers and 18 bronzes.

Xu, an Olympic gold medalist in free pistol shooting, became the Games’ second quadruple gold medalist, taking golds in individual and team air pistol events to go with his earlier two in free pistol competition. The first athlete to win four golds was Chinese gymnast Li Ning.

Japan has 21 golds, 26 silvers and 18 bronzes after winning 6 golds Thursday--4 in swimming, 1 in cycling and 1 in rowing.

South Korea upset the Chinese at their best game--table tennis--gaining the men’s and women’s team titles.