|
|
China's gold prospects for 2008 Olympics (2) |
 |
+ |
- |
17:08, December 25, 2007 |
Shooting
China claimed four shooting gold medals in Athens. In Beijing, the aim has been set on five. In the 1984 Los Angeles Games, China took its first Olympic gold ever from shooter Xu Haifeng and has earned a total of 13 shooting golds since.
China had already booked 26 tickets for the Beijing Games by Dec. 10, only two less than the full number.
China sets out experienced shooters like Du Li (in women's 50m rifle), Zhu Qinan (men's 50m rifle), Zhang Shan (skeet), Tan Zongliang (men's 10m pistol), Chen Ying (women's 25m pistol) and Hu Binyuan (skeet) as well as pick up newcomers Ding Feng (men's 25m pistol) and Zhang Yi (women's 10m rifle).
Weightlifting
Six weightlifters went atop of the podium in Athens, so it won't be less when China's Hercules come forward to the focus of Olympic Games at home.
China has an automatic full 10 tickets for the Beijing Games, six for men and four for women.
It's even a headache for China to decide an Olympic squad from talented national team. China has broken five world records at theworld championships and Asian championships this year. Olympic champions Tang Gonghong, Chen Yanqing and Zhang Guozheng are training hard to keep up their form. China has a bunch of athletesto rely on -- Yang Lian and Wang Mingjuan in women's 48kg; Li Pingand Qiu Hongxia in women's 53kg; Chen Yanqing in women's 58kg; Liu Chunhong in women's 69kg; Mu Shuangshuang in women's 53kg; Li Zheng in men's 56kg; Zhang Guozheng and Shi Zhiyong in men's 69kg.
Other Olympic medal hopefuls for China are athletics, rowing, women's volleyball, boxing, taekwondo, judo and trampoline.
In athletics, Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang will defend the Olympic 110m hurdles title. As the world record holder and reigning Olympic champion, Liu looks forward to reaching the peak of his career. Liu has shown strong form after winning the Osaka world championships in 2007.
In rowing, China is likely to take gold medals. In the 2007 world championships in Munich, China brought home one gold and two bronzes. Li Qin/Tian Liang finished first in the women's light double sculls and the pair are reckoned favorites for the Beijing Games. China's Meng Guanliang/Yang Wenjun took a gold in men's double kayak. Their success encouraged China's inspiration on kayak.
In judo, China's Tong Wen and Shi Junjie were crowned in the women's +78kg and -52kg categories at the 2007 world championships. They would spearhead Chinese judokas at the Olympic Games.
In boxing, Olympic bronze medallist Zou Shiming was in form as he defended the world title in the men's -48kg class this year in Chicago. China had found a bunch of talented boxers at the world championships in November. Li Yang (-57kg), Hanati (-69kg), Nigati(-91kg) and Zhang Zhilei (+91kg) each won a bronze at the worlds.
In trampoline, no one country can match the speed of progress as China did. Chinese trampolinists nailed three golds and four silvers at the world championships in Quebec City in 2007. Chinese Huang Shanshan and Ye Shuai will be among the most competitive in 2008.
In taekwondo, China has paved the path to be a powerhouse in the sport. Olympic champions Chen Zhong and Luo Wei will defend their titles in Beijing. China's Wu Jingyu came to the spotlight after she notched -47kg title in the world championships.
As the defending Olympic champions, China is among the top contenders for the women's volleyball.
Source: Xinhua
[1] [2]
|
|
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article