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Japan's Uchimura has the Chinese in his sights
Source: AFP |
July 28, 2012, Saturday
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JAPAN'S Kohei Uchimura has vowed to "go on the rampage" and break the Chinese stranglehold on men's Olympic gymnastics when the Games competition gets underway today.
Four years ago, China dominated, winning seven of the eight men's titles, including the team gold and beating 2004 winners Japan by more than seven points. China's now-retired Yang Wei also won the individual men's all-around gold, leaving Uchimura with silver.
Since Beijing, Uchimura has been undefeated - winning three consecutive world all-around titles - and now the Olympic gold is seen as his to lose.
"I want to go on the rampage and deliver a really elegant performance on the London stage," he said.
"I don't feel any pressure and want to repay double the expectations people have of me. I am 120 percent confident of winning a medal."
The 23-year-old took gold at the World Championships last year in Tokyo. Despite Uchimura's personal success, Japan failed to take the team title from China at the 2010 and 2011 worlds.
"I am only thinking about the gold medal in the team event," said Uchimura, who will also be targeting individual gold on the floor and the high bar.
"Since the Beijing Olympics, we have only managed silver. I don't want to feel the same disappointment any more."
China has lost 2004 Athens pommel horse champion Teng Haibin due to an arm injury. His place has been taken by Guo Weiyang, who lines up alongside Chen Yibing, Feng Zhe, Zhang Chenglong and Zou Kai.
In the women's, China took two of the six golds in Beijing - defeating the United States for the team crown, with He Kexin winning on the uneven bars.
Four years ago, China dominated, winning seven of the eight men's titles, including the team gold and beating 2004 winners Japan by more than seven points. China's now-retired Yang Wei also won the individual men's all-around gold, leaving Uchimura with silver.
Since Beijing, Uchimura has been undefeated - winning three consecutive world all-around titles - and now the Olympic gold is seen as his to lose.
"I want to go on the rampage and deliver a really elegant performance on the London stage," he said.
"I don't feel any pressure and want to repay double the expectations people have of me. I am 120 percent confident of winning a medal."
The 23-year-old took gold at the World Championships last year in Tokyo. Despite Uchimura's personal success, Japan failed to take the team title from China at the 2010 and 2011 worlds.
"I am only thinking about the gold medal in the team event," said Uchimura, who will also be targeting individual gold on the floor and the high bar.
"Since the Beijing Olympics, we have only managed silver. I don't want to feel the same disappointment any more."
China has lost 2004 Athens pommel horse champion Teng Haibin due to an arm injury. His place has been taken by Guo Weiyang, who lines up alongside Chen Yibing, Feng Zhe, Zhang Chenglong and Zou Kai.
In the women's, China took two of the six golds in Beijing - defeating the United States for the team crown, with He Kexin winning on the uneven bars.
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