The Chinese national men's and women's fencing teams are getting ready for upcoming World Cup tournaments.
The teams are aiming for success after an active off-season of training.
Sixteen fencers will compete in men's and women's World Cup action. Olympic champion Zhong Man and silver medalist Tan Xue are favored to win the tournaments in their respective categories. And there are also 6 newcomers hoping to get more experience. Zhong Man says he feels some pressure, because this is the first tournament after his success in Beijing.
Zhong Man said, "I feel a bit pressure, but I will try to get rid of it. Now I have to leave my Olympic glory behind and get ready to meet new challenges in the new season."
The men's team will start its 2009 season at the Hungary World Cup while the women's squad will compete in the France World Cup this weekend. They will take part in a half-dozen legs of World Cup action before appearing in this year's National Games.
(CCTV February 5, 2009)
