China's judo drought finally ends

Japan's Tomoko Fukumi fights China's Wu Shugen during the women's -48kg gold medal judo match in Guangzhou on Tuesday. Zou Zhongping / China Daily

GUANGZHOU - After three days of disappointment, China's judo team finally struck gold on the last day of the competition at the Asiad, thanks to the women's judoka.

Defending champion Liu Huanyan won gold in the women's open category while Wu Shugen beat Japan's Tomoko Fukumi during added time in the final of women's -48kg category.

"I was under lots of pressure because we didn't have any gold medals after the first three days," said Liu. "Most of the pressure I put on myself."

Fans had high hopes for China's judo team, which claimed five gold medals at the Doha Asian Game four years ago and three at the Beijing Olympics, but the team was unable to maintain those lofty standards at Guangzhou.

"No one is happy about only winning two gold medals on home soil," said head coach Fu Guowen, who was also a part of the team's glory days in Doha. "But I hope people understand our circumstances."

About 70 to 80 percent of the national team's judoka retired after the Beijing Olympics, including all three Olympic champions, said Fu. The young Chinese team lacks international experience.

"We are definitely not the team we used to be," Fu said. "The team needs to grow up fast before the London Olympics in 2012."

China's 19-year-old Wang Hao missed out on a bronze medal on the last day of the competition after being defeated by Mohammad Reza Rodaki of Iran in the men's open category. It was the first time the teenager competed at the adult level.

"I was not prepared well mentally," said Wang, who weighs 120kg. "It is very difficult to handle this kind of pressure."

Wang said his loss was due to inexperience at the senior international level.

Kenji Mitstmoto, Wang's Japanese coach, was not satisfied with his performance.

"He could have done better because his physical condition is good. He lost because he is mentally weak."

Wang is studying and training in Japan's Tokai University, which is a powerhouse of the sport in Asia.

Japan has won more judo medals than any other nation in Olympic Games' history and no team was able to break its hold on the sport in Guangzhou.

Japan won seven gold medals in judo - the most among all countries. The Republic of Korea, which appears to be catching up fast, won six gold medals.

China Daily