IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Darts

Shi to compete in world dart championships

Three-time national champion Shi Yongsheng is representing China at the World Professional Dart Championships, which began Monday in London.

The championships are being held at Alexandra Palace in the UK until January 1, 2008.

The annual tournament attracts some of the world's best dart-throwers in a head-to-head battle to see who will be crowned world champion.

Shi's opening match will be on December 20 against Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) pro Sayed Ashfaque from India.

American brewing company Coors continues to sponsor the Chinese national team, which competes under the name Coors Light China National Dart Team. This is the third straight year Coors Light has had its logo on the Chinese dart players' jerseys, as the sponsor has helped the development of darts in China.

China introduced darts as a sport in 1999.

Fencing

Fencing administration signs deal with Little Swan

The Chinese Cycling and Fencing Administrative Center and Wuxi Little Swan Co Ltd signed a sponsorship agreement, making China's washing-machine giant Little Swan the official sponsor of the Chinese Fencing Team, the strategic partner of the Chinese Fencing Association and the official products supplier of the Chinese National Fencing Team for 2008.

From Luan Jujie's women's foil gold at the 1984 Olympic Games to Tan Xue's world women's saber title, fencers have won many honors for China. Earlier this month, Tan Xue was named the best women's saber athlete and Li Na the best women's epee athlete by the International Fencing Federation.

Snooker

China-Mongolia challenge event wraps up

The Fourth China-Mongolia snooker challenge tournament was held in Ulanbator, capital of Mongolia, earlier this month. Supported by the Beijing Xingwei Sports Goods Co Ltd, the event has become one of the major sports exchanges between the two countries and has helped promote the Chinese snooker brand Xing Pai in Mongolia.

China was represented by two-time challenge tournament winner Li Yuan and China Open entrant Mei Xiwen.

After Li lost earlier in the tournament, Mei saved face for the Chinese by winning the final, two games to one.

Gan Liantong, president of the Xingwei sporting goods company, was present for the Mongolian national sports contribution award, given by the Mongolian Sports Ministry.

(China Daily 12/18/2007 page22)