The upcoming London Olympics will feature tough contests for boxing and Taekwondo gold medals, and the Chinese national teams need to prepare themselves for the rigorous challenges from other competitive hopefuls, said Chang Jianping, general director of the Boxing and Taekwondo Administrative Centre of the General Administration of Sport for China (GASC).

Olympic boxing events will be held in 13 weight categories, with competition at three women's weight classes ― 51kg, 60kg and 75kg ― included for the first time.

So far, China has qualified eight boxers for the Olympics, including six males and two females. In addition, two female players and one male player earned the right to compete in the Taekwondo events.

China is fielding one of the strongest teams, and it's very likely that Zou Shiming, China's first-ever Olympic boxing champion, could bring home gold in the 49kg class.

Nevertheless, Chang underlined that the mission is arduous, as powerful European contenders will increase the intensity of the race.

"Some countries and regions, to find out effective counter measures, have carried out studies on the boxing styles of Chinese boxers, especially Zou Shiming, since he won the title in 2008. Another factor leading to the uncertainty of a Chinese victory is that some of China's male players may not be at the peak of their physical strength as they have gotten older," Chang said.

China's gold medal hopes for women's boxing are in the hands of the world champions Ren Cancan (51 kg) and Li Jinzi (75 kg). Ren will face the challenges from Britain's world's top flyweight Nicola Adams and India's five-time world champion "Magnificent Mary" Kom. Li will encounter great threats from British and Azerbaijan opponents.

Adjustments in the Olympic boxing scoring rules also heighten the uncertainty of securing gold, Chang said. The new rules specify that the five judges will award points separately. Originally, a point was not awarded for a hit unless three of the five judges agree. "The scoring method will put Asian fighters at a disadvantage as it imposes higher requirements on the players' physique and strength," Chang said.

Chang also expressed concern over a tough international field this year in Taekwondo, where China netted four gold medals in the past three Olympics (2000-2008) even though the sport was not introduced to the country until 1995.

In this arena, two female players, 2008 Olympic champion Wu Jingyu (49 kg) and two-time world champion Hou Yuzhuo (57 kg) stand as China's best hope for gold in London. Wu is well-known for her flexibility and explosive power, especially her formidable axe kicks to the opponent's head. Chang believes that Wu, ranked number one in the world in the 49 kg class, can survive any turns and twists the tournament will take. However, Wu must overcome strong rivals from Chinese Taipei and Croatia before she can secure the top spot.

For Hou, it may be an even tougher mission as she also faces a tough field.

"The difficulty has been seen in the 2011 Gyeongju Championships, when they both stood out by weak margins," Chang said.

In the men's race, Liu Xiaobo faces 2008 Olympic champion and South Korean player Cha Dong-Min in the 87 kg category. Liu failed the world qualifier, and later got his London passport in the Asian qualifier by winning the champion title.

Chang said that the South Korean team remains a formidable contender for the Taekwondo gold in London this July. The arena will be full of uncertainty since Chinese Taipei, as well as the other countries and regions, including Iran, the US, Mexico, Canada, Spain, France, the UK and Turkey, have remarkably enhanced their capabilities in the sport in recent years and demonstrated their strength in the international competitions.

The London Games will also create favorable conditions for the host and its neighboring countries, thus helping the continent to break its streak of zero golds in the sport at the past two Olympics, Chang said.

The Games of the XXX Olympiad will begin on July 27.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)