China's Wu Chongkui, newly crowned world champion in the men's lightweight four, breezed through to the semifinals of the men's lightweight single sculls on day two of the rowing competition at the Doha Asian Games on Monday.

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Wu, paired with his teammates, won the men's lightweight four in World Championships in Eton, Britain in August 2006, competed in the men's lightweight single sculls repechage and led the way to the finish line in 3:21.56, the fastest in four repechages.

Wu's victory denied Pakistan's Muhammad Akram's attempt to add to his Asian Games medal tally of three bronzes.

"The contenders are not strong enough," Wu said, who even smiled to the camera right before the start.

Wu had some regret over Sunday's loss to Japan's Takeda Daisaku in the heats, who secured a direct berth in the semifinals.

"The choppy waves affected my performance. In such windy conditions, we usually quit training and competitions at home." he added.

Law Hiu Fung, silver medalist in the men's lightweight single sculls in Busan, was dealt another blow by losing to Hamza Jaber of Iraq on another repechage of the men's lightweight single sculls, following his upset by India's Anil Kumar Mehrolia in Sunday's heats.

Law had a nice start but lagged behind almost four seconds at the 500m. Jaber made a breakthrough for Iraq as it's Iraq's debut in rowing at Asian Games.

Calmer conditions on Monday made races more exciting.

In the women's lightweight single sculls, Thailand's Phuttharaksa Nikree took the upper hand, crossing the finish line in 3 minutes 43.29 seconds and leaving the rest competing for the second place.

South Korea's Ji Yoo Jin overtook Alexandra Opachanova of Kazakhastan in the last stroke, winning only by 0.15 seconds.

In the women's four, another close repechage, Chinese Taipei cruised to victory by just 0.5 seconds faster than Vietnam. Both will advance to the semifinals.

In the women's double sculls, DPR Korea came out last, failing to better their bronze medal in the same event at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. The victory went to South Korea, who will meet China, Kazakhstan and Thailand in the final.

Repechages of ten events took place on Monday. The semifinals will be held on Tuesday.