China's world champion Pang recovers from kidney disease for Winter Asiad

Pang Qing, the reigning doubles figure skating world champion, said here on Tuesday that she is in good health for the upcoming winter Asian Games after recovering from a kidney disease that barred her and partner Tong Jian from several world competitions this season.

"My goal is to win the title at home. I don't want to miss another important competition because of the health problem. Nothing but the champion will satisfy us," Pang said on Tuesday.

Pang/Tong won their first world champion last March after beating fellow Chinese and Turin Olympic silver medalists Zhang Dan/Zhang Hao.

A kidney disease hit Pang in September, forcing her to skip five out of the six stops from the World Grand Prix and the Finals this season.

The pair competed only in the China Grand Prix in Nanjing in November, where they finished runners-up with a new program.

"I think I can put away the feeling of loneliness when I was skating alone on the ice in Pang's absence. I'm glad she has recovered so well," Tong said.

They had practiced together for only two weeks before heading to Nanjing.

"We'll put more difficulty rating into our new program. Health is still the biggest problem for us. She cannot be one hundred percent committed to the training," Pang said.

Pang/Tong is also facing challenges from teammates Shen Xue/Zhao Hongbo and Zhang/Zhang at the 6th winter Asian Games to be held at Changchun in January, 2007.

Two-time world champions Shen/Zhao won the GP Finals while Zhang/Zhang is ready for their first major title.

"Shen/Zhao is in good shape, but this could be their last season. My goal is that all our three Chinese pairs could stand on the podium at the world championships in 2007," Tong added.

Source: Xinhua