China's Olympic champion gymnasts overwhelmed Japan by an unbelievable 11 points to pocket the 10th consecutive men's team gold in the Asian Games on Saturday.

The hosts have retained all Asiad team titles since 1974 when China entered the Asian Games for the first time.

China, having the same gold-winning side as in last month's world championships, accumulated 368.500 points, leaving Japan a far second in 357.500. The bronze medal went to South Korea in 352.950.

Although it is not a surprise for the reigning Asiad champions to win, considering home advantage and Japan not sending the top gymnasts, such an edge is just stunning.

"Eleven points is a huge edge," said China coach Chen Xiong. "I think the team performed even better than in the world championship."

The team final is also the qualifying for individuals and China have also earned berths in all seven individual events. Veteran Teng Haibin topped the all-around qualifying with 91.750 points while captain Chen Yibin led the rings field.

China scored more than Japan on each apparatus, including pommel horse where they misplayed.

Chen, multiple world champion, lost his rhythm and holding after Lv Bo had an apparent pause in the maneuver. But the strong performance in five other exercises were more than enough for China to grip the most-coveted gold.

Japan certainly made more serious mistakes on the same apparatus, which virtually put out their hopes for victory.

Kyoichi Watanabe fell off and Ryosuke Baba twice snapped his routine, giving Japan two worst scores of 11.250 and 12.500. The 6-5-4 formation, counting four best performance from the five competitors on each apparatus, allows only one person to blunder and two would be too much to afford.

"The team made too many mistakes and the two errors on horse are deadly," said Japan's coach through an interpreter. "To compete with such a team like China, you can't make any mistake."

Japan, however, are still hopeful to break the hosts' domination on all-around by Hisashi Mizutori, member of 2004 Olympic champion team.

The-30-year-old wrapped up 90.250 points to place second in the qualifying behind Teng. The two will face a tough showdown in men's all-around final on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2010)