Chinese athletes concluded their best-ever showing at the World Gymnastics Championships on Sunday, beating the aggressive hosts by one bronze to lead the medal tally.

China claimed five golds, two silvers and one bronze, followed by the United States (5-2-0), Japan (2-0-2) and Bulgaria (2-0-0). Russia, Brazil, Greece and Uzbekhstan shared the remaining four titles.

"It is our best achievement at the Worlds and it is a breakthrough for us," said Huang Yubin, head coach of the Chinese team.

On the last day of the Worlds, China took three titles and one silver to finally surpass the hosts.

Li Xiaopeng perfroms on parallel bars.

Li Xiaopeng, the Olympic and world champion, completed his golden hat-trick after adding two golds on the vault and parallel bars to his team title. And 15-year-old debutante Fan Ye convinced the judges and spectators with her perfect performance on the beam to take the title with 9.812 points.

Li, the defending champion in the two events, beat his strong rivals Marian Dragulescu of Romania and Russian veteran Alexei Nemov with 9.818 and 9.825, the highest points of the day.

"I am very confident to win the two events if I hit my routines," said the triple gold medal winner.

"I saw Dragulescu had scored 9.687 (on vault), but I knew I could beat him."

He got 9.775 on the first jump, then did even better on the second to score an unbelievable 9.862.

In the parallel bars final, Li successfully put his new elements into the routine to edge his teammate Huang Xu and Nemov, who both scored 9.762.

"It's my first time to use the new elements, so I was a little bit nervous before the match. You know, if I failed, I would lose the title," he said.

"But after discussing with my coach, I believed I should have no problem with that."

He was actually in contention for the high bar until his score was eclipsed and he finished in fifth place.

With 13 world and Olympic titles under his belt, Li aims to eclipse legendary Chinese gymnast Li Ning, who achieved a record 14 golds.

"I will better his record at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The Olympic golds on these two events are more important," he said.

For little Fan Ye, who had only one national competition experience, winning her first world title was an emotional moment. When she stood on the top of the podium, her eyes were moist.

"I am so excited. The national anthem was played for myself!" said Fan, who took up the sport at age five.

Fan Ye performs on balance beam.

Fan took the title despite committing serious mistakes in the team competition and uneven bars finals.

"I never thought of winning the gold, and I am very surprised with my performance," she said. "I have never done such a good job even during my practice.

"I cried hard after the uneven bars, but I knew the tears could not help in today's competition. The only thing I can do is to hit my routine on the balance beam."

Strong on the uneven bars and balance beam, she is now considering focusing on the all-around.

"I will improve my vault and floor exercise to become an all-around gymnast. I want to be another Khorkina."

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+National economy faces a string of challenges ( 2003-08-26) +Delegations arrive for six-party talks ( 2003-08-26) +China condemns Japanese landing on Diaoyu islands ( 2003-08-26) +Official vows to defend nation's health ( 2003-08-26) +Comment: Lessons from loss of life ( 2003-08-26)		+China vault to top of Worlds ( 2003-08-26) +White wins women's 100m in 10.85 Seconds at World ( 2003-08-25) +Li Xiaopeng won gold in men's vault, parallel bars ( 2003-08-25) +Beckham's Real beaten in Super Cup first leg ( 2003-08-25) +Drummond refuses to leave track after disqualified ( 2003-08-25)