Li seeks missing element

Li Fai aims to add to her cabinet the medal that has eluded her - an Asian Games gold - as she leads the nine-strong wushu squad for next month's Pusan Games. 'I've waited for many years to win my first Asian Games medal,' said the 33-year-old Li. 'I might have won the gold in 1994 [at the Hiroshima Games] if I'd taken part there.'

Li finished fourth in the women's three-event combination of chengquan, sword and spear at the Beijing Asian Games in 1990 and, then a world champion, was one of Hong Kong's gold medal hopes for the 1994 Hiroshima Games before she withdrew from the squad because she was expecting a baby.

Li made a comeback in 1996 when she switched from the physically demanding events to taijiquan and taijijian and has since made her mark in her new events. Despite not being ready for the 1998 Bangkok Games, she was crowned world taijijian champion in Hong Kong in 1999 and defended her title in Armenia last year. She also won the taijiquan gold at last year's Osaka East Asian Games.

Li added: 'My main rivals will come from China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Myanmar. They are all about 10 years younger than me. I'm more experienced and have better skills but their body conditions are better.'

While the discipline calls for a settled frame of mind and concentration, Li said her business - she set up a wushu school to teach people the sport two years ago - was a distraction in her buildup to the Pusan Games.

Li said: 'Sometimes it's difficult to stay focused and not to think about my work when I prepare for the Games. Luckily that my daughter Emily behaves well and listens to me.' In Pusan, taijiquan and taijijian will be held as a combined event.