Chinese boxers aim to book another three berths for Athens
(People's Daily)
Updated: 2004-03-21 14:51

Chinese boxers aim at booking another three berths for the Athens Olympic Games, the Chinese national boxing team's head coach Li Qingsheng said at the 2004 Athens Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament for Asia Friday in Guangzhou.

"As the host country, we should take this advantage to gain more qualifying tickets to Athens, I hope we can book more berths to Athens," said Li.

Before the tournament, China's Zou Shiming of the 48kg class and Lei Shiming in the 81kg category already qualified for the Olympics.

"Zou and Lei Yuming won the qualification last year and that was a big boost to our morale," Li said.

Li also thought that China is likely to win a medal from light categories and Zou, silver medalist at last year's world championships, is the biggest medal hopeful in Athens.

"Zou is very fast and powerful. He is our medal hope in Athens," added Li.

According to the organizers of the tournament, the event has attracted more then 400 athletes and officials from 29 countries and regions. China will compete in nine of the 11 categories.

Only three Chinese boxers competed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. China's best Olympic performance in the sport was Jiang Tao's fifth place in the 91kg category at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

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