China sustains domination in Day 2 of 7th Asian Seniors ART Championships
AGU Office: May 19, 2017: BANGKOK (THA) – Shock and awe.
This is what the rivals of China must have felt as it continued to dominate the 7th Asian Seniors Artistic Gymnastics Championships for the second straight day at the Nimibtur Gymnasium here on Friday.
Keen on reasserting their gymnastics supremacy in the continent, the Chinese juggernaut, bannered by Xiao Ruoleng, romped off with both the men’s team and individual all-around gold medals, leaving their foes fighting for crumbs.
It marked the second consecutive sweep of gold by China after its women’s squad also ruled the women’s team and individual all-around finals last Thursday.
Underscoring their deep and talented roster, even Rio Olympics veteran Lin Chaopan had to play second fiddle to Xiao, who anchored China to the team all-around gold with an impressive score of 264.75 points, a whopping 13.05 points better than defending overall champion Japan.
Lording it over in the sixth edition of the tournament in Hiroshima, Japan two years ago, the Japanese could only muster the silver medal this time with 251.70 points while South Korea had to settled for the bronze medal (250.10) in the championship sanctioned and organized by the Asian Gymnastics Union.
Witnessing the impressive showing of China was AGU President Abdulrahman Al-Shathri, who arrived last Thursday night and awarded the team medals and cash prizes, while AGU MAG Technical Committee president Miao Zhongyi of China gave away the same to the individual winners.
It was a major breakthrough for Xiao, who took the individual all-around title with 87.80 points, nosing out Lin, who took the silver with 87.45 points, for the gold while beating his illustrious teammate for the first time in international play. South Korea’s Park Minsoo copped the bronze (84.50).
Marking another first in Asia’s premier gymnastics event, the AGU gave $1,000 to China as the team all-around champion, $750 to runner-up Japan and $500 to third-place South Korea.
“I am very happy about this victory because I was not expecting it since my teammate Lin is here,” said the 21-year-old Xiao. “Hopefully I can work some more to improve and win more medals for my country.”
The Beijing native’s sterling efforts netted him an additional $500 while Lin and Park pocketed $350 and $200, respectively.
Action resumes on Saturday in this two-in-one AGU event with the individual apparatus finals in both the Asian Seniors and 14th Asian Juniors Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
CAPTIONS:
KEEN SPECTATOR: Asian Gymnastics Union President Abdulrahman Al-Shatri of Qatar watches action in the 7th Asian Seniors Artistic Gymnastics Championships on Friday at the Nimibutr Gymnasium in Bangkok, Thailand.
TEAM WINNERS: Team all-around winners, led by gold medalist China (center), pose with Asian Gymnastics Union President Abdulrahman Al-Shatri of Qatar. On the left is silver medalist Japan while bronze medalist South Korea is on the right.
INDIVIDUAL MEDALISTS: Individual all-around champion Xiao Ruoleng of China (center) leads the individual winners pose with AGU MAG Technical Committee President Miao Xongyi (left). Xia is flanked by teammate and silver medalist Lin Chaopan (left) and South Korean bronze medalist Park Minsoo.
GOLDEN DOUBLE: China Xiao Ruoleng proudly displays the gold medals he won in the men’s team and individual all-around competitions.
RIDING THE HORSE: Chinese individual all-around champion Xiao Ruoleng shows of fine form on the pommel horse.
PICTURE-PERFECT: China’s Xiao Ruoleng, the men’s individual all-around titlist, displays picture-perfect form on the parallel bars.
LORD OF THE RINGS: China’s Lin Chaopan, who took the silver medal in the silver individual all-around division, is picture of complete concentration on the rings.
FLYING HIGH : Rio Olympics veteran Lin Chaopan, the individual all-around silver medalist, soars high on the high bar.
PARALLEL BAR EXPONENT: South Korea’s Park Minsoo, who copped the individual all-around bronze medal, displays his mettle on the parallel bars.
SOUTH KOREA’S BEST: Park Minsoo, shown in action on the pommel horse, was South Korea’s best all-around gymnast by taking the bronze medal in the individual all-around.
By: Manolo Pedralvez
