Ma Wenguang:

The National Games was a good start of Chinese preparation for the London Olympics  

  Unsatisfied with four gold and a silver medal in the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese men's weightlifting team had an eye on competing in more categories to clinch more medals in the 2012 Olympics.

    Chen Wenbin, head coach in the men's national team, told the press Monday that China was going to take part in the men's 94kg division in the London Olympics.

    "If any of our lifters in the 94kg division can hoist over 400kgin total, we will send him to the London Olympics," said Chen.

    The dark horse He Shuyong, 26, emerged in the Chinese National Games on Sunday as he overcame veterans to win the gold with a total of 392kg, the best result the Chinese strongmen have had in the 94kg division in recent years.

    According to the governing body International Weightlifting Federation's rule, one team can send four women and six men at most to compete at the Olympics.

    In both Athens and Beijing Olympics, Chinese strongmen competed in five categories including the 56kg, 62kg, 69kg, 77kg and 85kg divisions.

    They won golds in the 62kg and 69kg divisions in Athens then were on the way up to take four golds in the 56kg, 62kg, 69kg and 85kg divisions in Beijing last year.

    Ma Wenguang, president of the Chinese Weightlifting Association, said China still keep vast advantage in the lighter divisions as young hopefuls came up to steal the limelight at the National Games.

  

    "We had a bunch of excellent lifters in the lighter divisions. The National Games was a good start of our preparation for the London Olympics," Ma said.

    The head coaches in the men's team and the women's team will enroll good lifters from the top eight lifters in every division at the National Games into the national team after the world championships in late November.

    

    Ma said that young lifters would become the main power to compete in the worlds for China.

    

    "Young lifters need more experience from the international competitions. They will get mature in tactics, psychology, and strength from fierce matches."

    "I also want them to know their potential rivals in the Olympics."

    Five Beijing Olympic champions Liu Chunhong, Cao Lei, Long Qingquan, Liao Hui and Lu Yong came back to the platform to win golds at the quadrennial National Games.

    All of them expressed interest to continue training, expecting to take part in the London Olympics, except the 26-year-old Cao, who is still mulling retirement.

    "It's Cao's personal decision, but I hope she will stay in the national team. She will share her experience to the young lifters and encourage others to work harder," added Ma.

(By Sportswriter Liu Yang, Xinhua)