Twin rowers attribute success to natural bond

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By Tang Yue (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-23 10:19

JINAN, Shandong province: Like synchronized diving, rowing requires highly-refined teamwork.

That's an edge twin sisters Li Tong and Li Meng had over the other competitors at the National Games.

The twins from Beijing were crowned champions of the women's pairs in Rizhao on Monday. They both stand at 1.85m, have long arms and a deep love of the sport.

Not surprisingly, they attributed their success to their natural intimacy and familiarity after living together for 21 years.

"We were born with an advantage and it can't be duplicated. That really helps a lot, especially in hard times," Li Tong, the slightly older sister, said.

However, there is a marked difference behind their identical appearances and it has enhanced their careers.

"I'm more extroverted, so I am the stroke oar. My sister is calm and stable. She is supportive and encouraging all the time. We just complement each other," Li Meng said.

The twins were trained to be swimmers from the age of five to 13 before turning to the triathlon. They didn't start rowing until 15 but the sport turned out to be the right fit for them.

After only two years of training, they won a silver medal at the National Games in Jiangsu in 2005.

They also were part of a Chinese women's fours team which claimed silver at the 2006 Worlds.

The victory in Shandong has boosted their confidence and they are now eyeing gold at next week's Asian Championships in Chinese Taipei and the Olympic Games three years later in London.

"Gold is our goal there (Chinese Taipei) and we will train even harder after that because there is still the London Games," Li Meng said.

Igor Grinko, the coach of China's national rowing team, predicts a bright future for the improving sisters.

"They are talented and they are working hard. And they are twins! I'm looking forward to bigger victories from them in the future."