Tue Nov 19 20:57:31 UTC 2024: ## Chinese Sports Roundup: World Cup Hopes Alive, New Tournament Launches, and Historic Sailing Debut
**Beijing, Nov. 16 (Xinhua)** – A busy week in Chinese sports saw victories on the international stage, the launch of a new domestic competition, and a historic first for a Chinese sailor.
China’s national football team secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Bahrain in a World Cup qualifier, thanks to a late goal by Zhang Yuning. The win, secured after a VAR review overturned a Bahraini goal, puts China in fourth place in their group, keeping their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
On the domestic front, the inaugural Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Club Cup tipped off, featuring 20 teams competing across four cities. The tournament, celebrating the CBA’s 30th anniversary, is a single round-robin group stage followed by a single-elimination final.
China also dominated at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Frankfurt. Lin Shidong secured his fifth men’s singles title in six WTT Series events, while Wang Manyu defeated Wang Yidi in an all-Chinese women’s final.
Making history, Xu Jingkun became the first Chinese skipper to compete in the Vendee Globe, a grueling solo, non-stop round-the-world yacht race. Xu, who lost his lower left arm in a childhood accident, hopes his participation will inspire others.
Finally, the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) season began with defending champions Sichuan defeating Jiangsu 90-75. Veteran forward Gao Song led the scoring with 24 points.
First Piper 