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SCMP Reporter

HONG KONG wushu exponents breathed a sigh of relief when renowned Chinese coach Huang Jiangang finally arrived to assist in their preparation for the Asian Games.

 Huang, a former Chinese national nanquan champion and deputy head coach of the Guangdong provincial team, was originally scheduled to come in the middle of July but his arrival had been delayed by visa problems.

 National coach Liu De is pleased Huang had eventually arrived and said: 'It is important to have someone of Huang's experience and calibre to help in our training for the Asian Games.

 'Huang is himself a top nanquan exponent, but he is also very familiar with changquan and taichiquan as well as all the apparatus.'  Huang's visit comes at an appropriate time since the Hong Kong representatives have all been in China for short training stints during the last two months.

 They are now all back in the territory in their final tune-up for the Asian Games and are set to leave for Hiroshima on September 26.

 Two Hong Kong players who should benefit most from Huang's visit are nanquan exponents Leung Yat-ho and Ng Siu-ching.

 Both Leung and Ng are medal winners at the 1990 Beijing Asiad, with the former taking silver for men's nanquan while Ng got a bronze in the women's all-round event for which she performed the changquan, spear and sword routines.

 Ng, however, had switched to practising nanquan for almost three years now and is regarded as the major threat to the Chinese players.

 They will be carrying the territory's medal hopes in Hiroshima following the recent withdrawal of woman all-rounder Li Fai.

 Li, the changquan and cudgel world champion, was a favourite for the Asian Games all-round title but she had to pull out of the team because of pregnancy.

 Other members of the six-strong Hong Kong team are Choi Chun-hung (nanquan), Wong Chi-kwong (taichi), Kwok Shui-lung (all-round) and woman all-rounder Tsui Lim-chee.



Late arrival still welcome