Zhang Dong in action during the Men's Canoe Sprint Kayak Single 1000m Heat at Hangzhou Asian Games, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

Chinese paddlers had a good Saturday in the Asian Games' Canoe Sprint competition, sailing into the final.

HANGZHOU, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- All Chinese paddlers cruised into the final on the first day of Canoe Sprint competition of Hangzhou Asiad on Saturday.

Zhang Dong, gold medalist at the Jakarta Asiad, finished his Heat of the Men's Kayak Single 1000m in the first place with 3:47.118, directly booking a berth in the final, while Shakhriyor Makhkamov of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan's Rodion Tuigunov took second and third places respectively, also advancing to the final.

China's Bu Tingkai and Wang Congkang crossed the line first in the Men's Kayak Double 500m Heat by 1:35.568.

Ji Bowen made it to the final by finishing his Heat in the first place in the Men's Canoe Single 1000m, clocking 4:12.524.

"I am glad to win the heat today. I expect to win the gold in the final, but I need to handle the wind better at Fuyang the day after tomorrow," Ji said.

Yin Mengdie (L) and Wang Nan in action during the Women's Kayak Double 500m Heat. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

Yin Mengdie and Wang Nan in Women's Kayak Double 500m also made to the final by finishing the Heat first.

"After some pre-race adjustments I realized it would be our best day to race today. My mother will be here until the end of the competition, so I hope I can win both of my events for her," Wang said.

Liu Hao, gold medalist in the 2019 World Championships, withdrew from the Men's Canoe Double 500m Heat with his teammate due to injury.

The Canoe and Kayak competitions, with 12 golds on offer, run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 at Fuyang Water Sports Centre.