Fighting fit

The 25 men and women of the Chinese judo team have high hopes for the upcoming Asian Games

The Asian Games in Jakarta are about to start, and the Chinese judo team has been making its final preparations. This time, the Chinese judo team will comprise a total of 25 men and women who are young and raring to go. However, despite their enthusiasm, it is very evident that they lack international experience.

To prepare for the Indonesia games, from Aug 18 to Sept 2, the national judo team has conducted targeted training.

At the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea four years ago, the Chinese judo team won one gold medal, one silver and two bronze, all in the women's category. For Jakarta, the focus of the team is on heavyweight (over 78 kilograms), half heavyweight (under 78 kg) and half middleweight (under 63 kg).

As for the Chinese men, at the last Asian Games they managed three seventh places. In order to improve their performance, the men's team hired former South Korean Olympic judo champion Song Dae Nam as their coach.

They are now now aiming to do well in the under 66 kg, under 73 kg and under 90 kg classes.

Speaking about the team's prospects, Chinese head coach Xian Dongmei says: "After more than half a year's training and competition, our players have adapted to new rules.

"The team's attack speed has been boosted and the success rate of each attack is better."

But there is a big difference between training and actual competition.

Whether these young athletes can put their new tactics to good use at the Asian Games will prove the difference between victory and defeat.

A member of the judo team wraps his hands with bandages to protect his joints.

2008 Olympic champion Yang Xiuli helps with timekeeping.

A large drop of sweat falls off Xiao Fei's face. As a member of the Chinese national judo team, he practices frequently at the Beijing Olympic Sports Center. Photos by Wang Jing / China Daily

(China Daily European Weekly 08/17/2018 page4)