Chinese gymnastics team manager warned Chinese gymnasts on Tuesday against
Japanese revenge in next month's Asian Games in Doha.
"It's very dangerous for our gymnasts to regard themselves as indisputable
number one in the Asiad gymnastics competition," Zhang Peiwen told Xinhua.
Considering Japanese still as strong opponents, he urged the whole team to
come back down to earth after their eight-gold glory in the world championships
last month in Arhus, Denmark.
"Of course we presented a very good performance in Arhus. We beat Olympic
champions Japan for the men's team title, and unfortunately Japanese failed to
make a single gold. But that might be the very impetus for them to stage a big
comeback," Zhang said.
"They have the strength, the technique and the determination to do so,
especially on men's team competition and individual all-around," he added.
Zhang's opinion echoed what Chinese head coach Huang Yubin had said.
Huang contributed their Arhus success to their correct understanding of the
new rules, which was first introduced into a world championships in Arhus.
"I think we enjoy the temporary leading position because we studied the new
judging system maybe earlier than the other teams and therefore understand it
better," Huang said in an interview after returning from Denmark.
"But after the championships, they would learn more about the rules and train
better. I believe they would catch up soon." Huang said.
China will send the Arhus lineup to compete in the Asian Games, which will
open in Doha, Qatar on December 1.