Gym coach Huang expects tougher challenge in 2008

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-10-25 09:12

Chinese gymnastic head coach Huang Yubin shrugged off their eight gold triumph in the Arhus world championships on Tuesday, expecting tougher challenge in the 2008 Olympic Games.


Chinese gymnastics head coach Huang Yubin.[File Photo]
"Of course we are very happy to see the result, especially after the Athens waterloo," he told Xinhua at the airport, back from Arhus.

"But our ultimate goal is the Beijing Olympic Games. There is still two years to go and many things could change as what we¡¡experienced over the Athens Games," he said.

The Chinese squad collected a sole men's pommel horse gold medal in the 2004 Olympics, a heavy blow to domestic pre-game expectation and a team which won five titles in the 2003 world championships in Anaheim.

Huang contributed the 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.

"But after the championships, they would learn more about the rules and train better. I believe they would catch up soon." Huang said.

Injury-plagued Chinese team won eight out of 14 gold medals in Arhus, including the first-ever women's team world title in the 53-year history of Chinese gymnastics.

Chinese men defended their team honor without three key gymnasts- veteran Huang Xu, double Olympic champion Li Xiaopeng and Athens Olympic champion Teng Haibin were all absent due to injuries.