Skater girls rev up to outsprint S. Korean rivals
By Lei Lei (China Daily)Updated: 2007-01-25 10:26 Injury woes
With veteran Wang Manli likely out with a knee
injury, the pressure will be on youngsters to perform well.
Ren Hui, the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic bronze medalist, Wang Beixing and Wang Fei are the main contenders.
"I hope to win the gold medal at the Asian Games," said 23-year-old Ren. "I don't want to let the home crowd down."
But Ren was careful not to be too over-confident. "My strongest event is short distance, which can be full of accidents," said Ren. "I will do my best."
Wang Beixing, who ranked eighth at the Turin Games, is looking for a medal this time around.
"I hope to make a breakthrough in my technique," she said.
Wang Fei, the only Chinese to qualify for the ISU World All-Round Speed Skating Championships in February, was not satisfied with her achievement in the Asian Regional Qualifying Competition. She has set her eyes on the Asian Games.
"My problem was consistency," she said. "Anyway, I hope I can do my best in the Winter Asian Games and fully rival Japanese and South Korean skaters."
Although listed in the delegation for the Asian Games, 33-year-old Wang Manli may withdraw due to her injuries.
"I have rested for three months, but I am not sure whether I can take part in the Asian Games," she said. "I think I will have only recovered 60-70 percent by then.
"The young skaters are young and full of vitality. The have improved fast in terms of technique, and all they lack now is experience. But I believe that they won't let us down in Changchun."
Wang, who narrowly missed out on the gold medal at the Turin Games, has refused to hang up her skates, saying she will go for gold once more in Vancouver.
"I failed in Turin because of high psychological pressure. But now I have learnt to deal with people's expectations and I am looking forward to winning the 2010 Olympic Games."
On the men's side, hopes rest on 32-year-old Yu Fengtong.
"In short distance races it all depends what happens on the day," said Yu. "I will try my best to win."
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