China confident of winning table tennis medals at East Asian Games

The Chinese paddlers are capable of winning medals in every discipline at the coming fifth East Asian Games, said a top Chinese sports official here on Monday.

Huang Biao, manager of the Chinese table tennis team, said upon arrival in Hong Kong that China has sent a team composed of veteran and uprising stars, aiming for medals in both men's and women's singles, doubles and the mixed, as well as the team events.

Olympic champion Wang Hao spearheaded the Chinese squad, which also includes new comers Yang Yang and Yao Yan.

"To some extent, we are familiar with most of the players from Chinese Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, which are the competitive rivals for China at the Games," said Huang.

"Performance on the spot is the most important factor for the young players, whose capability remained unknown," added the Chinese manager.

While Hong Kong is not ready to celebrate without a medal, coach Chen Jianghua hoped his players not to be disturbed with home court pressure, saying that young players from South Korea and Japan are capable of toppling first-class stars at the international arena.

Source: Xinhua