History has been made in dragon boat in Indonesia, with the unified Korean women's team winning their first gold medal of the 2018 Asian Games.

The team, comprising eight athletes from North Korea and four from South Korea, had already made history by winning bronze in the women's 200 metre race in Palembang on Saturday.

They then followed up with an incredible gold medal in the 500 metres on Saturday, finishing just ahead of the team from China, with Thailand finishing third.

Koreas' winning time was 2.24.788, China posted 2.25.092, and Thailand 2.26.904.

The unified men's team finished fourth in their 500 metre semi-final and did not make the final.

In the 200 metres 24 hours earlier China took the gold, hosts Indonesia delighted home fans with the silver, with the joint Koreans taking the bronze.

Korea are also fielding unified teams in women’s basketball, rowing and canoeing.

“While others prepared for years, we just had 20 days,” team drummer To Myong-suk was quoted as telling Korean news agencies after Saturday's bronze.

“This is a result that showed the bravery and wisdom of Korean people by combining our hearts and goals.”

China has long been one of the powerhouses of dragon boat racing, their win on Saturday their fourth in women’s 200 metres.

The success of China left Indonesia with four consecutive silver medals.

Chinese Taipei took the men's 500 metres gold on Sunday, finishing in 2.11.691. China was second in 2.14.297, and Indonesia third in 2.15.727.

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