Liang Chow starts a new chapter with Team China

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04:50

Artistic gymnastics wrapped up its final action at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday, with China winning eight gold medals out of the possible 14. Four of them came on the women's side where former Chinese Olympic champion gymnast Liang Chow has taken the reins for the Chinese national team.

Liang Chow, a Beijing native, was officially appointed the head coach of China’s national women’s artistic gymnastic team in June. In his debut, at the 2018 Asian Games, he was a member of China's winning side in the men's team event which included five debutants. In an exclusive interview with CGTN Sports Scene, Chow said, “I think we have a wonderful tradition here in the Chinese national team where I have learnt it myself. Coming back to this team is a great honor and it’s wonderful to be the coach.”

Liang Chow (1st, R) with the Chinese women’s gymnastics team in the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. /VCG Photo

Setting his sights on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he added, “I think we are not yet in the best shape for the Tokyo Games but I think we are in better direction so far.”

Chow, a former Chinese national team member, came to the US in 1991, at the age of 23 years old, and became famous after first coaching Shawn Johnson to women's balance beam gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. He then led Gabby Douglas to a top podium finish for the all-around event in London four years later.

While talking on US gymnastics and their rise, he mentioned, “I think the American gymnastics is getting better from 2007 when one of my students Johnson won the all-around championship. That was the first time an American women’s team winning the team gold medal.”

Shawn Johnson (L) of the United States talks with her coach Liang Chow after finishing her floor routine during the women's individual floor final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. /VCG File Photo

In his years of living and coaching abroad, it was the coaching system in America that changed him as an individual.

He explained, “as a professional gymnast you need to take care of yourself and when you get into the US system you are on your own. I think that’s really educated me to be not only strong physically but also mentally.”

The 2018 Asian Games is an important step for this young squad, but Chow’s sights are set on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The Chinese team has performed well in Indonesia but fierce competition is right round the corner when the world championships are set for Doha, Qatar in October.