Cho won his first Asian Games gold in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1994. He and teammate Jang Sun-jae have won five golds overall, the most successful track cyclists in Asian Games history.
It was the 36-year-old Cho’s first Asian Games in eight years — he missed the last edition in Doha because he was racing professionally.
“I have been preparing for one year with my coach and colleagues,” Cho said, adding that the 2012 Olympics could be part of his future.
“There are still two years until London,” Cho said.
“The Asian Games was my first goal so the most difficult time has passed. I’m not sure about London, other members of the Korean team are very talented. It’s my goal, but I cannot say that I will do it.” South Korea beat Hong Kong in the gold medal final, while China defeated Iran for bronze.
China won gold in the second track cycling event Tuesday, the crash-filled women’s points race. Liu Xin finished with 34, ahead of Wong Wan Yiu of Taiwan (27), and Chanpeng Nantasin of Thailand (25).
Two crashes during the race caused minor injuries to several cyclists. Tang Kerong of China had her head and elbow bandaged after the accident and was among five cyclists who did not finish the race.
In the Asian Games pool, South Korea’s Park Tae-hwan, the Olympic gold medalist over 400 meters, qualified only fifth for the night final in his specialty event.
“I’m getting old, so it is more exhausting to swim 400 meters than three years ago,” Park said. “Although I will swim in lane two tonight, it will OK, I will be positive.” The 21-year-old Park gave South Korea its first swim gold on Sunday with victory in the 200 freestyle in an Asian record time.
WTA Tour regulars Peng Shuai and Li Na led China to gold in the women’s team tennis final Tuesday. Peng beat Chang Kai-chen of Taiwan 6-3, 7-5 to give China a 1-0 lead, then former top 10 player Li beat Chan Yung-jan 6-1, 6-1, to clinch the match.
A total of 37 gold medals will be presented Tuesday. China continued to pull away in the gold race, moving to 58 golds and more than 100 medals overall early on the fourth day of competition. South Korea is in second place in the gold race with 19, followed by Japan with 13.
