Chinese Diving Dream Team Hopes for Perfection

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, October 14, 2002

Chinese Diving Dream Team Hopes for Perfection

Without much suspension, the Chinese diving "Dream Team" made a clean-sweep as expected by winning all eight gold medals at stake in the Asian Games, yet they are still far away from perfection.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Without much suspension, the Chinese diving "Dream Team" made a clean-sweep as expected by winning all eight gold medals at stake in the Asian Games, yet they are still far away from perfection.

It is the seventh consecutive time that the Chinese divers celebrate the golden haul in the Asian Games since 1978. The all-conquering Chinese have also collected 14 Olympic titles in their five appearances since 1984.

National team manager Zhou Jihong said that "we don't take the gold medals in the Asiad as victories. What we hope for is the top-quality performance, and we are not perfect."

Winning the men's 10 meters platform, Olympic champion Tian Liang put an end to the one-upmanship show here on Sunday, beatingcompatriot Xu Xiang and Jo Chol-ryoung of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea by 20 points, the lowest margin between the Chinese divers and their rivals.

Shaking his head, Tian admitted yet that "this is the worst performance I have ever had in recent years. I didn't feel good today from the morning. I even could not find my usual form on theplatform and I did not know the reason."

"It's a dear lesson for me. I would not win the international meet with such a poor showing. I don't have any pressure from teammate Xu and Jo, but myself. We are competing against ourselves," Tian said.

The top honors in the Asiad have always been split between a pair of Chinese entries in the individual events, which were surely of world-class showdown as the winner was decided only after the last dive.

Defending champion Guo Jingjing edged Wu Minxia for the women'sthree-meter springboard title, Wang Tianling surged from behind tobeat pace-setter Wang Feng in the men's three-meter springboard bylast dive, and Lao Lishi upset Bangkok Asian Games silver medalistLi Na for higher difficulties.

Despite their medal of golden tint, all the Chinese winners admitted that they didn't feel satisfied with their performance asthey made some mistakes here and there.

Team manager Zhou said that "the clean-sweep in Busan does not mean that we are flawless. We have to be perfect to ensure our victories in the world championships and the Olympic Games."

Questions?Comments? Click here

Tian's 10m Platform Title Completes Chinese Clean-sweep in Diving

China Wants to Sweep Diving Golds in Asian Games

>> Full Coverage

China's Automaker Invests in GM-Daewoo Joint Venture ( 2 Messages)

At least 182 Dead in Indonesian Island Blast: President ( 2 Messages)

Multinationals Fight for Chinese Markets ( 80 Messages)

China Opposes US Congress Committee's Interference in China's Internal Affairs ( 33 Messages)

Fewer Slogans, More Practical, Reflect Social Changes in China ( 31 Messages)