Olympic champion Zou keeps fighting with slim hope for Rio

Five-time Olympic champions Zou Kai looked depressed after a below-par performance at the National Gymnastics Championships here on Wednesday but insisted that he would fight until the last moment.

Zou, 28, was tangled by injuries on his Achille's heel and waist. He failed to nail on the floor exercise which is his speciality as he claimed two Olympic titles in this event.

"Obviously I did not perform well," said Zou, who took part in four events as usual. "I'm old and I train too little."

Zou admitted that it's hard for him to keep fighting but he would not give up. "I just want to be a good example for my younger teammates."

London Olympics champion Zhang Chenglong also fell at the last stand on the floor exercise but felt good about his performance.

"I'm fit and happy with my training recently," said Zhang, a member of the Chineses men's team that won the team event at London Olympics four years ago.

"I will make great efforts to join the squad for the Rio Olympics. Then I will try hard to make breakthrough at the Games," said Zhang.

Guizhou won the men's team event without surprise as their gymnasts Deng Shudi and Liu Rongbing are both hopefuls to head to Rio. But they trailed national teammate Lin Chaopan in the all-around qualification as the 20-year-old led with a result of 91.650 points.

Deng was 0.850 point behind Lin. Liu was placed third with 87.800 points. Endit