IN BRIEF (Page 22)

GYMNASTICS

Paralyzed gymnast moves to local hospital

After a catastrophic neck injury paralyzed gymnast Wang Yan of Zhejiang province in June, doctors now say she is well enough to be moved home to Zhejiang People's Hospital in Hangzhou.

Wang was transferred yesterday after spending months rehabilitating at Shanghai No. 6 hospital.

Wang, who broke her neck in an accident on the uneven bars at the national championships in early June, can now stand up and walk for a short distance by herself. She will undergo further recovery treatment at the new hospital.

"She asked to go back home for further treatment," said Wu Xiqin, chief coach of the Zhejiang Provincial gymnastics team. "The injured vertebrae will not be reborn, so we must take other measures to boost the function."

But Wu was quick to point out that Wang "has been recovering better and faster than expected."

Wang fell into a coma in Shanghai on June 10 after landing head first on the mat in her dismount from the uneven bars, fracturing her second and third vertebrae.

Sources said after the accident that the young gymnast would likely be paralyzed for life. But after surgery and treatment her condition improved considerably.

SOFTBALL

Canada defeats host to take opening victory

Canada's three runs in the top of the seventh inning snuffed out China's hopes of a comeback as the North Americans defeated the host team 5-2 on the first day of the China Cup International Softball Tournament.

The Canadians broke the deadlock in the third inning by scoring two runs. The local team finally woke up late in the sixth inning and leveled the score 2-2.

Though many expected the game to go into extra innings, the Canadians did not waste their last offensive opportunity, scoring three runs on three consecutive hits in the final inning.

The Chinese made a last effort in the bottom of the seventh, but could not break the defense of the Canadians.

Head coach Wang Lihong said her players seemed nervous to start the match so she called a technical time out to try to relax them. She was not disappointed with the way her team played, but not overly satisfied.

"We played hard, but our batting average was not so satisfying, Wang said. "Their defense was pretty good, but it's a pity that we barely had any base hits."

In the following game, world No 3 Australia overcame Chinese Taipei 9-4. The Aussies notched their second consecutive victory after beating Canada 2-0 in the night match yesterday.

(China Daily 10/10/2007 page22)