As usual, China enjoyed another great day. Chinese teams could celebrate gold medal winning performances in the women’s hockey final - where they beat Japan 1–0 – and in the fencing, where they won both the women’s epee and men’s sabre finals, the latter after a thrilling 45–44 encounter with Korea.

China also scored victories in both the men’s volleyball and men’s basketball semifinals. They will face host country Qatar in the latter, after they beat IR Iran with their vocal home support as good as an extra team member as they roared them on to victory, 67–64.

The sailing programme drew to a conclusion after eight days of competition. The crews of Singapore have most to celebrate after they landed 10 medals in total, making them the most successful team in the sailing by far.

Today, their team spirit and solidarity was never more evident than when they beat India by half-a-boat length in the match race competition, the first time the event has been included at the Asian Games.

There were 15 gold medals distributed in three combative sports of Doha 2006; karate, boxing and wrestling. Though all are individual, you can be sure that each victorious competitor will have plenty to thank their coaches and trainers for. Teamwork has been the cornerstone to their success.

As the old saying goes; “There is no ‘I’ in team.” You also won’t find one in ‘gold’.

There is one in ‘silver’ though…