China will very likely sweep four of five finals, with the men's lightweight double sculls, which China didn't enter, up for grabs for the rest of Asia.

Having dominated the Asian Games rowing since the sport was included in 1982, China swept 34 out of 37 gold medals in the men's events and all 25 golds in women's.

In the women's double sculls, China clocked the fastest time in heats in four minutes and 24.80 seconds. South Korea's Kim Ok Kyung and Shin Yeong Eun, and Bussayamas Phaengkathok/Phuttharaksa Nikree of Thailand will contend for the silver.

In the men's double sculls, China's Su Hui is the reigning champion while his partner is the 1998 Asian Games gold medalist. They might meet a challenge from South Korea, but Su said that they are the best and the final will be lopsided in favor of Chinese.

China's Yan Shimin and Yu Hua, both world champions, are set to dominate the women's lightweight double sculls. They have won the lightweight double sculls and the lightweight quadruple sculls in the 2006 world championships in Eton, Britain, in August.

Phuttharaksa Nikree and Bussayamas Phaengkathok of Thailand, silver medalists in the Asian Games in 2002, will continue to charge for the top spot. Japan and Uzbekistan might compete for a third finish.

The women's four, another event "designed" for China as since the discipline was included in the Asian Games in 1990, China has never let go a single gold. South Korea, DPR Korea and Vietnam are expected to fight for the silver.

The men's lightweight double sculls, the only event that China did not enter, may go to defending champion Japan.

China rowers have lost three men's gold medals in history, two of which, both in the lightweight double sculls, went to Japan.