Nicol David in red plays inside the glass box of the tournament squash court

It began as the sun rose over the Qatari desert and the horses and their riders set out on a 120km race over the sands in the equestrian endurance. An arduous test for man and beast, over 44 set out together at 06:00, with less than half completing the course either through retirement or being withdrawn by the official veterinarians.

For HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, it was a glorious journey as he finished with individual gold and team gold with his three United Arab Emirates team mates, all of whom were his brothers.

For Nicol Ann David, today she completed her journey from the lows of the last Asian Games in Busan, Korea to golden glory at Doha 2006.

Four years ago, the Malaysian was so devastated to lose in the women’s squash singles final to Hong Kong, China’s Chiu Wing Yin that she took a four month break from the game to reassess her career.

In 2006, she has completed her redemption by becoming the world’s No 1 player, winning the World Open and now winning Asian Games gold, tellingly beating the same opponent whose defeat of her set her on this new path.

Elsewhere, comebacks were the journeys of choice. China’s men’s water polo team trailed great rivals Japan in the early stages of final 3–0, but fought back to win 9–8. In fencing, Korea had Jung Jin Sun to thank as they fought back to win the men’s team epee final against China.

On every occasion that Jung took to the stage, his team trailed. But every time he dragged them back into the lead and was left as the last man standing with his arms aloft as the time ran out and he had driven his team to a 35–33 victory.

All winners of the day »

The Kuwait men’s handball team made a successful return journey to Doha. They won gold at the West Asian Games last year and they took gold again in 2006, beating host country Qatar 27–24.

In the men’s volleyball, men’s hockey and women’s basketball, there were journeys to familiar destinations as winners from four years ago returned to the top step of the medal podium. Korea defended their Asian Games titles in volleyball and hockey, and China did the same in basketball.

As the diving competition concluded, China finished with all available gold medals for the sixth successive Asian Games. They and their opponents are left wondering if that particular journey will ever end.