(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-21 11:06

"You would think I would be a sure bet for the Games next year, just because I won a gold medal three years ago," Xian said. "But I have to fight and fight because there is only one berth in my category with tons of young athletes coming up while I was out.

"I'm fit now, but the physical part is my weakness since I've just been back for no more than half a year."

China has a strong team outside of Xian, with the 2005 world champion Li Ying wining in Cairo and the newly crowned world champion Shi Junjie winning in Rio de Janeiro.

"Although the competition within the national team is tough, I have confidence to represent China in 2008," she said. "My sporting spirit is staying the same and mental part and experience are my advantages, but first of all I still have to polish my techniques.

"I think it's a good thing for China's judo that we have a strong team in a category, which the Chinese have been leading for a long time," she added.

Xian's solid comeback has impressed national team head coach Fu Guoyi, who said the veteran is on the candidate list for China's Olympic roster but still has a long road ahead before she'll know if she is in.

"She's in good form right now, but far from reaching her peak. It's hard to say now which one of the trio will finally be given the ticket," the coach said.

Fu said the upcoming tournaments would be crucial for the athletes.

"We'll have two more trials before having the final say for the Olympic roster, and every other tournament besides the trials will also be counted while valuating the performance of each judoka," he said. "Xian, however, is in steady paces in improving herself on all aspects, physically, technically and mentally, though she's just come back for a short time."

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