Queens to clash in high vault spectacle

A vaulting horse showdown between China's triple world champion Cheng Fei and former Olympic gold medalist Elena Zamolodchikova will enthrall audiences at this week's World Cup Gymnastics in Shanghai.

Cheng, the 19-year-old gymnastic treasure has set her sights on defending her titles at the World Cup after claiming the gold medal hat-trick at both the 2006World Championships and Doha Asian Games.

"I won't look back to 2006 as the past gold medals won't guarantee you anything," Cheng, gold medalist in both vault and floor events in Shanghai last year, said.

"My target is to defend the titles and make the best preparation for the World Championships in September."

As the leading gymnast of the powerful women's national team, Cheng was instrumental in anchoring China's first team gold at the 2006 World Championships in Denmark.

She also clinched the gold medals on vault and floor before backing up the feat at Doha in December.

Cheng became the first Chinese woman to win a gold medal in the vault event at the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.

Despite her impeccable record, success in Shanghai is no formality.

Zamolodchikova was also one of the most consistent women on the World Cup circuit last year, winning bronze in the DTB-Cup in Stuttgart, two silvers on vault and floor in the Glasgow Grand Prix and ending the year with a vault bronze at the World Cup Finals in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

While some top gymnasts retired following the introduction of a new code in 2006, Zamolodchikova continued to improve dramatically.

Despite missing the European Championships in Greece with injury, the Russian veteran bounced back and helped her team to a bronze medal in the team event at last year's Worlds, their first podium finish at world level since 2001.

But Chen has the upper hand against Zamolodchikova, twice beatin her on the vault in at World Championships.

Chinese head coach Lu Shanzhen said a victory in Shanghai would help Chen's confidence and round off her preparation for the coming World Championships.

"The World Cup is the last major test before this year's World Championships and a win in Shanghai can give them confidence heading into the World Championships in Stuttgart (Germany) in September," Lu said.

But the top mentor refrained from placing any unnecessary pressure on his charges.

"I won't set any specific target for my gymnasts," he said.

The event represents the last A-level competition before this year' Worlds.

The Shanghai showdown also offers elite athletes the chance to chart their progress and size up rivals in the lead-up to next year's Beijing Olympics.

China Daily

(China Daily 07/25/2007 page22)