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BEIJING : China is looking to make this Asian Games its "lucky number 7".
Since 1982, the sporting powerhouse has topped the Games' medal table, six times in a row.
But this year, it is fielding a relatively novice team, benching established names like basketballer Yao Ming, and diving king, Tian Liang.
Wu Minxia is just one of some 640 athletes from China, hoping to make a splash at the 15th Asian Games in Doha.
The 21-year-old world champion is competing in the one- and three-metre springboard events.
And she's confident of winning both.
She said: "In the Asia region, I think the strongest competitor is myself. Everyone just wants to finish their dives well and not to think too much about others. So if I can perform to my best potential, then I would say that I have defeated my strongest rival - myself."
But not all of her compatriots are as optimistic.
Officials say that given that it's winter in Beijing and they are competing in summer sports events in Doha, the athletes may not be in top form.
Some of China's Olympic champions are also carrying the burden of injury.
Zhang Guozheng, Weightlifter, said: "I've recovered systematically for more than a month, I can say I've reached more than 80 per cent of my peak form. I still have to work hard for the rest of the more than 10 per cent. I hope I can persevere."
And the athletes themselves admit that time may have eaten away China's stronghold in certain arenas.
Cao Lei, Weightlifter, said: "We have some advantages because women's weightlifting started earlier in China compared to other countries. Now women's weightlifting is an Olympic sport however every country has attached importance on it. So our advantage is not an absolute one and we have seen strong competition in some categories."
At the end of the day, many in the Chinese contingent say it is the bigger picture that matters.
The Doha Asian Games will be the final large-scale international comprehensive sports meet for China.
Officials say as more than 60 per cent of the athletes have never taken part in an event like this, this will be an important opportunity to gain experience for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. - CNA/ch
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