China's Fan Wenjuan in the 19-10 win over Kazakhstan in the women's final of the Shanghai Sevens, the opening event of the HSBC Asian Sevens series, last Sunday. Provided to China Daily

The Chinese women's rugby team, led by star player Fan, appears to be on a direct course for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, writes Tym Glaser.

It was like an in-joke among Asia's rugby experts whenever they were asked last weekend at the HSBC Shanghai Sevens tournament which was the best team in Asia.

The South Korea or Japanese combinations were the expected answers, but a wry grin would break upon a pundit's face and he'd say, "China."

Huh?

"Yeah, the Chinese women's team," he would say, followed by a little chuckle.

Only thing is, that's probably dead right. While Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are likely to be embroiled in a battle royal to claim the two men's Asia berths at the 2016 Olympic Games - and then only to make up the numbers against the world's elite teams; the Chinese women are miles ahead of their regional rivals and have the potential to make some serious waves in Rio de Janeiro.

In the four-team women's event at Yuanshen Stadium, the host went undefeated over the two days, beating Kazakhstan 31-10, Thailand 26-7 and Hong Kong 24-0 on the opening day. Then, in Sunday's semifinal, it trounced Hong Kong 34-0 and then held off a game Kazakhstan side 19-10 in the final.

"Our players have great potential and they certainly have the ability to become the champion of Asia," women's coach Zheng Hongjun said during the event.

"Some of the players were track and field athletes before and have very fast speed, which is ideal for rugby."

No player displayed that better than Fan Wenjuan, who constantly tore her opponents' defenses apart with her blistering pace and freakishly agile moves, which she backed up with tremendously hard tackles. If there were a singular MVP award at the Shanghai event, it would have gone to the Chinese No 5.

The 28-year-old former long jumper, who won gold in a tri-nations friendly meet between Japan, South Korea and China in 2002, has the Olympics on her mind, although rugby won't return to the Games until she is 33.

"Yes, I am 28 now, but I still hope to play at the 2016 Olympics. That's one of the highest stages for a player and I want to shine on that world-class platform," the Shandong native said.

"I believe we can be Asia's No 1 team and make it onto the Olympic pitch. I just want to try to do my best and do something special for rugby in China. Now, it's just a great honor for me to show off my ability."

Fan is without a doubt the star and lynchpin of the Chinese women's team, but coach Zheng says his is not a one-woman side.

"Since rugby became an Olympic sport, we have received increased government support and many cities and provinces have started their own professional teams," he said. "At least eight cities and provinces have teams now, and more and more people are joining in. It's becoming easier to find excellent players for the national squad. It's a major improvement on before.

"I do believe there will be rapid development of the game in China over the next few years and the 2016 Olympic Games is definitely one of our major goals."

Chinese rugby legend Zhang Zhiqiang, more widely known as plain, old "Johnny," has little doubt China will be heading off to the Brazilian city in 2016 and that Fan will be at the helm of the team.

"China is clearly the best team in Asia and Fan is the best player on the best team," Zhang said. "I train her at the China Agricultural University (in Beijing) and I know she is a determined and highly-skillful athlete ... she will be there. And who knows what might happen after that?" he said with another of those wry grins.

(China Daily 09/04/2011 page8)