"The contract expired last year. I have not taken any salary or training allowance since then. I have nothing to do with Yunnan right now," Zhang said.

"I signed with Shanxi, which has been approved by the administrative center. Shanxi's promise convinced me to move."

Zhang, now 33, made a strong return in September after winning the world title in the 69kg class. He has once again emerged as a gold-medal contender for the Beijing Olympics.

"I represented Shanxi when I won the world championships in September. I know the prime time of career was closely linked to Yunnan. But it's a trade agreement and it's now over (with Yunnan)."

The final result is yet to be ruled on by the SGAS, but the rift has disrupted Zhang's training schedule.

"I am almost devastated. My daily training is badly affected. I just hope it'll be settled as soon as possible," Zhang said. "I want to be focused on the preparation and reach the best form in the Beijing Olympics."

Ma Wenguang, Director of the Weightlifting, Wrestling and Judo Administrative Center under SGAS said it is a technicality issue and not difficult to deal with.

"As long as both sides obey the rules, it's not complicated to settle the dispute. We will announce the final decision soon," he said.

Similar cases to Zhang's have happened frequently in China.

Snooker sensation Ding Junhui has been chased by Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong Province and Jiangsu Province after the teenager became one of the world's elite players.

China's first male Winter Olympic gold medalist Han Xiaopeng also suffered the headache after winning freestyle skiing aerials in Turin last year, as Liaoning Province and Heilongjiang Province fought over him.

And in basketball, Beijing and Xinjiang went to war over the rights of former NBA player Menk Bateer. China Basketball Association (CBA) finally ruled Bateer belonged to Xinjiang, despite Beijing's bitter protests.