China's five-time Olympic gymnastics champion Zou almost to miss Rio

Five time Olympic champions Zou Kai probably wont' defend his title in floor exercise at Rio as the veteran gymnast had been told by his coach that he was out of China's Olympic squad at the ongoing National Gymnastic Championships.

China's national team manager Ye Zhennan admitted on Friday that the coaches of the men's team had decided to exclude Zou from the Olympic squad, but it has not been proved by the selection board which is going to hold a meeting to decide the list next Monday.

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

Zou looked depressed after competing four events Wednesday night, but insisted that he would not give up just for being a model for his younger teammates.

Ye appreciated that Zou did boost the morale of the team. Watching the five-time Olympic champion still training hard, the young gymnasts could find no excuse not to try their best.

However, Ye also assured that the prolific Olympian need to be tested by the Olympic qualification twice as the others and the selection rules won't be different to him because of his achievements in the past.

"His performance was affected by his age and injuries, and he lost his advantage in difficulties due to the change of the rules, " said Ye.

In the all-around finals on Friday, the 20-year-old Lin Chaopan came from behind to clinch the men's title with a result of 90.600 points and Shang Chunsong led the women's squad in 59.550 points. Endit