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No Undue Pressure on Chinese Taipei Paddlers in Univerisiade
A Chinese Taipei coach said on Wednesday he would not put undue pressure on his paddlers although Chinese Taipei has sent its strongest men's team to the 21st Universiade in Beijing.
"We wouldn't speculate on the number of gold medals our paddlers might pick," coach Chen Jianli told Xinhua, but he said Chinese Taipei players have received rigorous training and reached good form.
The Chinese Taipei team, which will compete in all seven events which run from August 23 to 29, is considered medal hopefuls in men's single, doubles and team events.
Chiang Peng-lung, ranked fourth in the world and world championships singles bronze medalist, is expected to challenge heavily favored Chinese and world number one Wang Liqin.
Chiang Peng Lung and Chang Yen Shu, men's doubles champions at the 13th World University Championships in Shanghai last October and men's doubles bronze medalists at the world championships, are serious challengers to the doubles title.
But Chinese Taipei keeps low-key in the tournament. Chen said, "We have confidence to make the top three. Our aim is two silver medals from men's singles and doubles. Gold medals are very difficult although we are on the same par with China in these events."
For women's events, Chen said they will be happy to book semi- final spots.
"Although these girls have competed in several international tournaments, but they still lack battle experience," he said. "I think they will stop at quarter-finals. We will be lucky if they advance into the final four."
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