The Chinese speed skating team has vowed to lead in the upcoming
Winter Asiad arena in Changchun, northeast China, beating arch
rivals from Japan and South Korea.
Most of Chinese skaters have arrived in Changchun, including
leading players like Wang Beixing, Ren Hui, Xing Aihua, as well as
Wang Manli, the silver medal winner in 2006 Turin Winter Olympics,
who will not compete in the games but cheer for her
compatriots.
"Japan will be the biggest threat to the Chinese team,
especially in long distance events," said Xiao Hanzhang, the head
coach of the Chinese speed skating team.
With five gold medals, the Japanese team, headed by Tabata
Makiand Hirako Hiroki, became the biggest winner in the Asian
Regional Qualifying Competition for the ISU World All-Round Speed
Skating Championships 2007 earlier this month.
The Chinese team just won three gold medals in the qualifying
competitions.
"However, this event was just a beginning, and the real
competition will be in the Asian Winter Games," said Xiao.
The South Korean team should not be neglected either. "The South
Korean players, headed by Lee Sang Hwa, will be a great challenge
to our short distance events," Xiao said.
"But comparatively speaking, we have more advantages in short
distance events than long distance, particularly in women's short
distance events," Xiao added.
Wang Fei, the only Chinese player who has qualified for the ISU
World All-Round Speed Skating Championships 2007 to be held in
February, was obviously not satisfied with her achievement in the
Asian Regional Qualifying Competition. "My problem was the
instability of performance."
"Anyway, I hope I can play my best in the Winter Asian Games and
fully rival Japanese and South Korean players," Wang smiled with
confidence.
Wang Manli praised the Chinese speed skaters for their rapid
progress in techniques and physical quality. "The only thing they
lack is the experience. But I believe they will not disappoint us,"
Wang noted.
The 6th Asian Winter Games will kick off in Changchun on Jan. 28
and last for eight days. The speed skating events are slated for
Jan. 29 to Feb. 1.
(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2007)