China looks beyond medals at Asian Games

Consolidating strengths

The plan calls for China to consolidate the foundations of its six traditional powerhouse sports and continue world-class standards. Yet each sport faces a different challenge in Nagoya.

For diving and table tennis, the immediate question is whether China's commanding position in both sports can be maintained.

Olympic champions Chen Yiwen, Chen Yuxi and Wang Zongyuan head China's diving team. China swept all 10 diving gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games and will again seek a clean sweep in Nagoya, while the development of the next generation of divers will also be closely watched.

China's table tennis team features Olympic champions Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu and Wang Chuqin, all of whom are competing at their third Asian Games.

"The three Olympic champions pass on their experience to the seven young players, while the younger ones bring passion and drive to inspire the Olympic medalists," team head coach Qin Zhijian said.

With Japan and the Republic of Korea among their main rivals, China will seek to maintain its overall advantage while also seeing how younger players handle a packed schedule and high-pressure matches.

Coach Qin said the Chinese table tennis team had to maintain a positive mindset when facing challenges at different stages, "getting stronger when facing stronger opponents". "We will go all out for gold in all seven events at the Asian Games," he said.

Gymnastics, shooting and badminton also face pressure from the growing strength of Asian rivals. Teams from Japan and the Republic of Korea have continued to improve in recent years, forcing China to defend its traditional advantages while responding to stronger competition in team events, individual disciplines and youth development.

In weightlifting, a new weight-class system has been introduced for the Los Angeles Olympics, making the Nagoya Games the first major multisport event under the revised structure. Of China's 10 weightlifters, eight have never previously competed at a major multisport event. The younger athletes will have to adapt to the new weight classes and rules while handling the pressure of a major international competition.