Asia revels in successful Games

BEIJING (AFP) - Asian nations enjoyed a successful Beijing Olympics by bagging a hatful of medals, led by regional powerhouse China, but the achievements were soured by two positive drug tests.

Nineteen Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) nations fought their way onto the medal table, collecting 85 gold, 54 silver and 72 bronze between them.

As expected, the lion's share went to China (51-21-28), with South Korea (13-10-8) ahead of their traditional rivals Japan (9-6-10).

One of the biggest breakthroughs was achieved by Singapore which won its first medal in 48 years, while Malaysia took home a silver.

Rohullah Nikpai won Afghanistan its first medal ever, a bronze in taekwondo, which brought joy to his homeland with President Hamid Karzai reportedly promising him a house.

Another big break was achieved by India, which collected its maiden individual gold through shooter Abhinav Bindra.

Indonesia snagged a gold, a silver and three bronze and Thailand won two gold and two silver. Even Vietnam (men's weightlifting) won a silver. Taiwan, Mongolia, Iran, North Korea, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, also tasted Olympic success, but Hong Kong failed to make its mark.