China Targets 3 Golds at World Table Tennis Championships

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 25, 2003

China Targets 3 Golds at World Table Tennis Championships

Chinese paddlers will strive to win at least three gold medals at next month's world table tennis championships, head coach Cai Zhenhua said on Monday.

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Chinese Table Tennis Team Trains for 47th World Table Championship.

Chinese paddlers will strive to win at least three gold medals at next month's world table tennis championships, head coach Cai Zhenhua said on Monday.

"Of the five individual events, we stand a good chance to win the women's singles and mixed doubles," said Cai, a former world champion.

"But we will make all efforts to compete in every event," he added.

China on Monday announced a 20-man squad for the 47th world championships to be held on May 19-25 in Paris. World number one Zhang Yining and Olympic champion Wang Nan spearhead the women's team, while World champions Kong Linghui, Wang Liqin and Ma Lin lead the men's pool.

"This year's world championships adopts the 11-point scoring system and no-hide service rule, so it adds difficulties to our battle," said Cai, who was in a month-long training session with the Chinese table tennis team.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) introduced a series of rule changes since 2001. Traditional power China becamethe biggest casualty of the reforms as its all-conquering women lost the team title to DPR. Korea at the Busan Asian Games last year.

"The players are gearing up for the worlds to adapt to these rules, " Cai said.

There are no team events at this year's world championships.

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