Sprinting into a major test

Even with sprinter Xie Zhenye's withdrawal diminishing China's medal prospects, the national athletics team is determined to go all out at the Asian Games to gauge preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

As a highlight of the track and field action in Jakarta, the head-to-head battle between China and Japan in sprinting events is now tilted toward the Japanese side after Xie, China's second fastest man and a formidable member of the relay team, was forced to pull out of the competition due to a right ankle injury.

Still, Su Bingtian, holder of the Asian record in the 100m, shrugs off the negative impact of his teammate's absence.