Favourites China claim MAG, WAG Team and All-Around titles

DOHA: Favourites China claimed MAG and WAG Team and All-Around titles at the 9th Senior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships at the Aspire Dome tonight.

At the end of two day’s qualification-cum-finals, China wrapped up the proceedings with four gold, one silver and a bronze medal.

In the MAG team competition, China collected 255.299 points Japan (249.500) came second followed by Chinese Taipei (249.211).

Cong Shi accumulated 83.833 points in all the six apparatuses to win the gold in All-Around to maintain China’s domination in the Asian competition.

Philippines’ two-time world champion Carlos Yulo missed the top position by a whisker (83,767). He was followed by China’s Jiaxing Yang (83,733).

In fact, the MAG All-Around was a close affair with Yulo topping the qualifying in the floor with 14.800 points and received the nod of the judges on rings with a 14.100 that translated to an all-around performance of 41.833.

However, Cong overtook him for the top honour in the late stages.

The Chinese women also left an indelible impression of their inherent talent after they topped the podium (167.366) followed by South Korea (157.566) and Japan (154.867).

Jin Zhang claimed the gold (55.400) in the WAG All-Around followed by compatriot Xijing Tang (53.967) and Japan’s Yunseo Lee (53.633).

All the podium finishers along with fourth and fifth-placed teams qualified for the FIG Artistic World Championships scheduled to be held in Liverpool (United Kingdom) from 29 October to 6 November.

The Apparatus finals (MAG & WAG) will be held on Saturday and Sunday.