Yang Wenjun, Athens Olympic champion in the men's C2 500m of canoeing, went easily through to the finals of China's National Spring Champions Canoeing tournament on Friday.

In both men's C1 500m and 1000m, Yang came out first in preliminaries and semifinals.

"This competition will see the effect of our winter plateau training in Yunnan Province," said Yang, who had improved a lot in his competitivity in singles competition by garnering a bronze medal in the men's C1 500m in 2006 World Championships.

Meng Guanliang, Yang's Olympic champion partner, put on an unsatisfactory performance as he was eliminated in men's C1 1000m.However, he squeezed into the final A of men's C1 500m by finishing a best third place in the semis.

"I'm still restoring my form," said Meng, "I hope I can do better in the following months."

Meng retired after the 10th National Games in October in 2005 and came back to the national team only in October last year.

One year's absence made Meng's form drop by a margin. However, he has been resuming his power gradually.

"This competition is no big deal. I pay more attention to the coming world cups and world champs." Meng said in confidence.

World champion Zhong Hongyan did a good job in women's K1 500m and 1000m by ranking first in preliminaries and semifinals.

Liu Haitao, five gold medals winner in the 10th National Games, still had an overwhelming advantage upon the rest en route to the finals of men's K1 500m and 1,000m.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2007)