China's naval pentathlon team celebrates victory after finishing the last race in the event on Saturday in Wuhan, Hubei province. [Photo by Zhang Yangfei/chinadaily.com.cn]
China's People's Liberation Army naval pentathlon team has won all six gold medals on offer in its military games debut during the ongoing seventh Military World Games in Wuhan, Hubei province.
The naval pentathlon, comprising men and women all-round individual, all-round team and obstacle relay events, kicked off Wednesday and ended Saturday. The all-round categories included five races: obstacle, life-saving swimming, utility swimming, seamanship and amphibious cross-country.
Each athlete was ranked with all five scores combined in the all-round individual. Teams were then ranked based on members' scores.
The last category, the men and women's obstacle relay, ended Saturday with China's men and women's teams winning the last two gold medals on offer in this competition.
"Our daily training was very intense, so we had absolute confidence in winning," said Li Shun from the women's team, adding that their support team, coaches and team members had all made huge efforts, united as one and done their best.
Seventy athletes from 10 countries competed in the naval pentathlon. China sent three female and five male athletes to the event. The all-round individual and team events ended Friday after athletes completed the last discipline – the amphibious cross country – in the five races.
Zhang Na, Li Shun and Cecilia Sjoeholm from Sweden ranked in the top three in the women's all-round individual and Guo Ziyuan won gold in the men's all-round individual.
"I'm satisfied with their performance because they are the best," said Feng Yu, head coach of China's naval pentathlon team.
He said although the team is still young, established just two years ago, he could feel that all members have become increasingly stronger through two years of hard training.
"We strive to achieve better results for the country and the armed forces. We train for the highest standards," he said.
