Gold medalist Sui Lu (C) of China poses with compatriot silver medalist Yao Jinnan (L) and bronze medalist Jordyn Wieber of the US after competed on the balance beam during women's apparatus final at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Tokyo, Oct 16, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

 

Sui set to become leader of Chinese team after starring in Tokyo

BEIJING - The 2011 World Gymnastics Championships closed in Tokyo on Sunday, with the event marking a new beginning for Sui Lu.

The Chinese team topped the medal standings with four gold medals, five silver and three bronze, however, Sui's gold on the balance beam was possibly the most meaningful.

The 19-year-old, who also secured a silver medal in the floor exercise and a team bronze in Japan, distinguished herself at the 2007 National Intercity Games by helping the Shanghai gymnastic team claim gold after a 27-year drought.

Moreover, she performed inconsistently at international tournaments and missed a place on the China team at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, an event at which her peers He Kexin and Jiang Yuyuan stood out by winning Olympic titles.

Her coaches talked her out of retirement after the Beijing Games, but Sui continued her inconsistent form at the following World Championships in London and Rotterdam. The victory in Tokyo was a timely turning point for her to pick up confidence and push for a place at the London Olympics.

"This is my first World Championship title. Previously, I had always disappointed people, but they never gave up on me. I am really grateful for their support," said Sui, who bagged four gold medals in the balance beam, floor exercise, women's all-round and team events at last year's Guangzhou Asian Games.

"I had a lot on my mind before the competition, but I was not over-excited after the victory. I didn't cry, but felt quite relaxed," said the 19-year-old. "There is still a long time before the London Olympic Games. I hope I can adjust my weight and psychology and also avoid injury.

"I need to keep a peaceful mind and hopefully qualify for the Olympics, then it will be time to talk about more," she said.

Despite Sui's modesty, Lu Shanzhen, the coach of the women's team, praised Sui for her leadership skills.

"Having Sui back on the right track is our biggest achievement at the Worlds," Lu said. "She stood out to finish three events with high quality and proved herself to be the best gymnast on this Chinese team, especially when veterans like He Kexin and Jiang Yuyuan were suffering from form slumps.

"I'm really happy to see Sui become a mature gymnast, we can say she is capable of becoming the leader of the women's team now," Lu said. "She finally solved the problems which have hovered around her for three years, and I believe she will have a bright future at the London Olympics."

The Chinese team also unearthed another rising star, Yao Jinnan, at the tournament. The 16-year-old snatched a silver medal on the balance beam, and two bronze medals in the women's all-round and team events.

"As a newcomer, Yao has just started to take part in tournaments this year, and it's not easy for her to perform so well in events," Lu said. "If Yao can improve on the vault, she will have a chance to win gold in the women's all-round event at the London Olympics and be competitive in single events, such as the floor exercise, balance beam and the uneven bars."

The Chinese men's team overwhelmed host Japan to win its fifth straight title at the Worlds. Olympic champion Zou Kai regained the world horizontal bar crown while 26-year-old Chen Yibing continued his stunning form on the rings to win his fourth Worlds title in that event.

China Daily