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Sydney Olympic weight-lifting champion Yuan Hua of China is expected to win the first gold medal of the 21st World Universiade for China on August 23.
Yuan Hua, double champion of women's --78kg and open division in the 1999 Universiade, will join 16 other women judokas in the women's --78kg class for the glory.
"A total of four gold medals will be produced in the first day's judo competition," said Chinese coach Liu Yongfu, "And Yuan Hua will probably claim the first gold for China in the afternoon. "
"But Yuan Hua will meet tough challenges from Japanese Midori Shintani." Liu noted.
The 27-year-old Yuan said: "Although I feel a little bit tired after the Munich World Judo Championship, I'm confident to grab the first gold."
Yuan won the only gold for China in Munich, Germany last month.
The Universiade judo competition will run from August 23 to 27, with a total of 18 golds on offer.
(Xinhua News Agency 08/22/2001)
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