File photo taken on Aug. 18, 2018 shows delegation of China enters the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium at the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. China topped the Asian Games medal table for 10 straight times as the country claimed 132 gold, 92 silver and 65 bronze medals at Jakarta from August 18 to September 2. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
With 100 days left, Chinese athletes continue their thorough preparations, hoping to showcase their best forms at Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) -- With only 100 days to go until the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, more than 900 registered Chinese athletes have been going all out to prepare for the Games, hoping to showcase their best forms at home.
GO FOR THE GOLD
Chen Meng of China competes during women's team final of table tennis event at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug. 28, 2018. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
The Chinese weightlifting team has been taking their summer training programs in Beijing. For team leader Wang Xin, the Asian Games can be a valuable experience for young athletes.
"Such a comprehensive Asian Games can enhance their experience and mentality, which can benefit them a lot in terms of preparing for the Paris Olympic Games," Wang said. "We will try our best to win in front of the home crowd."
Chinese athletes have always been dominant in the discipline of table tennis. And the Asian Games will be their last comprehensive event before the 2024 Olympic Games.
According to Liu Guoliang, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, the Asian Games will be of an all-round test for the Chinese table tennis team, and they will spare no effort to defend the glories.
Swimming Olympic champion Zhang Yufei revealed that she hopes to break the 100-meter butterfly world record at the upcoming Asian Games.
Wu Yibing of China serves during a men's singles first round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia at Boss Open 2023 tennis tournament in Stuttgart, Germany, June 13, 2023. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
For rising tennis star Wu Yibing, who was born and grew up in Hangzhou, the will to win the Asian Games gold is even stronger. Wu claimed the ATP Dallas Open title this year, becoming the first Chinese mainland player to lift an ATP Tour trophy.
"Since I'm a Hangzhou native, I hope to win the Asian gold at home," said the 23-year-old, who finished runner-up at the 2018 Asian Games.
Having just won the 2023 Sudirman Cup World Mixed Team Championship, the Chinese badminton team aims high at the Asian Games. "I am eager to show my best performances," said women's singles player Chen Yufei.
In addition, the Chinese shooting team who harvested eight gold medals in the last Asian Games and the Chinese diving squad who had great performances in the recent international competitions, are all considered title contenders in the Asian Games.
EMBRACE CHALLENGES
Chinese players celebrate after winning women's basketball final between China and the unified team of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea at the 18th Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
In 2022, the Chinese women's football team nailed the Asian Cup again after 16 years. And this year, the team will face the consecutive challenges from Women's World Cup, the Asian Games, and the qualifying matches of the Paris Games.
"You have to rise to the challenges, and we will play the games one by one, trying our best to achieve the goals," said the team head coach Shui Qingxia, adding that they will adjust the lineups in terms of the tactics made for each game.
The Chinese women's basketball team won the runner-up of the World Cup last year, equaling their best record in history. "After the World Cup, we set our new target. We have to start from scratch," said Zheng Wei, head coach of the team.
E-sports, including League of Legends, King of Glory (Asian Games version) and Dota 2, and break dancing are two new sports for the Asian Games. And the Chinese teams are looking to make history in these youthful sports.
"The Hangzhou Asian Games is not only a home event for Chinese athletes, but also a stage test for them before the Paris Olympic Games," said Zhou Jinqiang, vice chairman of the organizing committee of the Asian Games.
"I believe the Chinese athletes will strive to achieve good results and display good sportsmanship," Zhou said. ■
