Challenges Ahead, Chinese Athletes Expected to Win in Pusan Asian Games

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, September 13, 2002

Challenges Ahead, Chinese Athletes Expected to Win in Pusan Asian Games

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About half a month later, nearly 700 Chinese athletes will go to Korea to attend the 14th Pusan Asian Games. During the past three Asian Games, China held an obviously advantageous position in winning 50 more gold medals than that of the second winner. China seated steadily at the place of No.1 winner in Asian Games. Therefore, not many people doubt China's No. 1 place this time.

However, under the superficial tranquility of China's No.1 place, a "storm" challenging China is under mulling. Not until October when the Asian Games is going to open in Pusan people will not get to know.

The Pusan Games has a total of 419 events, some 42 more than that at last time's Bangkok Asian Games. Each host in history would have a well-prepared scheme in the event setup that is favorable to it. But even if all the 42 golds would be taken by the ROK, it wouldn't be able to mend the total medal numbers as long as Chinese athletes keep their advantage. Let alone the newly-added events are not sure to be all in the hands of the ROK.

Actually, the challenge does not only come from the event setting, but also from Japan's rise in recent years. And of course, it's also a challenge from China itself for whether it can keep high spirits as did in the past.

Three events are set with more than 40 golds. They are track and field (45), swimming (43), shooting (42). Compared with Beijing, Hiroshima Asia Games, Chinese athletes in track and field, swimming are not in an ideal condition. Compared with Japan in the two events, the two countries are almost at the same level.

China's target in the Games is to get 15 golds in track and field. Should things turn out as what we expect, we may lead Japan with a weak advantage and we may get 20 golds in swimming, topping Japan slightly.

For the time being, many people think that China will get 18 golds in shooting. But actually, shooting is usually much affected by athletes' feelings and therefore, there's much uncertainty in the event. If Chinese team pins high hope on the event, it's very likely to lead to unexpected results. Even if athletes would have a normal performance, China would also face the challenge from the ROK, which is able to gain at as likely as not 10 golds in this event.

Next to the three big events are racing boat and rowing boat (25 golds), bike (20), wresting (18), judo (16), kickboxing (16), gym (16), sailing boat (16), weight lifting (15), a total of 142 golds.

China has a slight advantage in racing boat, rowing boat, gym and weight lifting, while wresting and judo are Korea's strength, Japan will strengthen its traditional strong event-judo.

The remaining golds events are boxing (12), fencing (12), karate (11), martial arts (11), billiards (10), bowling (10), China may get 10 golds in fencing, martial arts, but others are the weak for Chinese.

.Although there are not many golds for ball events, they will exert a great influence. The ROK has the strength in winning the golds in man football, volleyball, man and woman handballs, man and woman basketballs, man and woman tennis. Other countries also have some advantageous events such as Indonesia's badminton, Pakistan's squash, hockey, etc.

Comparatively, China only has strength in table tennis and woman volleyball.

For Chinese athletes, the Pusan Asian Games does not mean more golds for them only. What is more important is that China is facing some new problems after the 9th National Games that new sportsmen have taken the place of the former veteran athletes. To achieve higher scores in the Athens Olympic Games, they need more experience, more practices, more encouragement as well as new breakthroughs.

What achievements they are going to get, has become a common concern of our country folks. But anyway, let us support them and wish them a success.

By PD Online Staff Li Yan

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