With the qualifying rounds over, Chinese gymnasts have taken the lead in seven events at the FIG World Cup in

Shanghai.

 

Three of the men's finals will now have Chinese team mates in first and second place vying against each other for gold.

 

World pommel horse champion Xiao Qin leads the field in his event, followed closely by Athens Olympic pommel horse champion Teng Haibing. The intense competition between the two team mates will make the final an intriguing showpiece for the sport.

 

With a second place ranking in the parallel bars, Teng Haibing will also challenge team mate Feng Zhe, the current favorite for the parallel bars and the vault.

 

The men's rings are led by Chen Yibing in first place and Yan Mingyong in second.

 

On the women's front, vault prodigy Cheng Fei clinched the first place despite her foot injury during the qualifying rounds.

 

Pang Panpan finished first in the floor exercise and balance beam events, while Li Ya tied with Russia's Pavrova for second place in the balance beam.

 

Xiao Tingting is the only Chinese athlete in the uneven bars event and is currently ranked seventh.

 

(CRI July 15, 2006)