Ready to conquer new heights

China's artistic squad dominates in Indonesia as prelude to Olympics

Things are back to normal after China reasserted its dominance in artistic gymnastics at the Asian Games this week.

But the squad remains firmly focused on bigger challenges－not least of which is the sport's health and future back home.

With the Tokyo Olympics in mind, younger athletes got their chance to shine in Indonesia－an opportunity they grasped with both hands in a gold rush.

The men's victory was particularly satisfying following Japan's stunning victory in 2014 in South Korea.

Since that defeat, a new generation of Chinese stars has emerged, with world champion pair Xiao Ruoteng and Lin Chaopan in imperious form in Jakarta to reclaim the gold.

"With a points total of 260.950, we are not only competitive in Asia but also the whole world," said Ye Zhennan, the team's manager.

"However, as we have said many times, we are aiming for the Tokyo Olympics in two years' time. So it is vital that we improve and iron out any problems.

"We still have weaknesses, so we can't be too content and become over-confident just because we won the Asian Games gold. We have to be more competitive for the 2020 Olympics."

The women, meanwhile, hope that new head coach Qiao Liang can give them the edge in Tokyo.