Chiu Hin-chun will challenge for a National Games medal on Monday after the Hong Kong rower eased into the men’s lightweight double sculls A final on Thursday, but there was a second defeat for the city’s men’s senior basketball team.

With only 10 rowers contesting this category, Games debutant Chiu needed to be in the top six in the preliminary round at the Guangdong International Rowing Centre in Guangzhou, and the two-time Asian champion did just that to secure a spot.

He completed the course’s 1,500 metres (0.9 miles) in five minutes and 5.6 seconds to rank third in Group 1, trailing Anhui’s Zhu Bohao, who finished in 5:03.66, and Chen Wei-chun, representing Guizhou, who clocked 5:04.21. Li Chengchao of Zhejiang also reached the medal race after crossing the line fourth in 5:07.30.

“I knew it was going to be a final-like preliminary race and everybody gave their all,” Chiu said. “I am satisfied with my overall performance; I did well and everything played out according to my plans.

Chiu Hin-chun competes at the Olympics in Paris last year. Photo: AP

“Though there was some difference in terms of expectations as I didn’t finish in the top two or even top the group, I still managed a spot in the medal race.”

In Group 2, Gu Jiantao, who finished fifth in September’s World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, was first in 5:05.76. The Sichuan representative was joined by Ma Yule of Shandong, who posted 5:07.10.