By Vera Atkinson FIG Editor.

Beijing (CHN) NBIS FIG Office, AUgust 13, 2008: Yes, China's Women have learned how to fight!

Neither the extraordinary pressure of having to perform in front of their home crowd, nor the strength of their biggest opponents from the USA stopped them on the way to their first Olympic title ever.

Led by the formidable performer Cheng Fei- Deng Linlin, Jiang Yuyuan, Yang Yilin, Li Shanshan and He Kexin they won the victory in a face-to-face dramatic last round, putting together a team total of 188.900.

As in Athens 2004, the USA won the Silver medals (186.525), with the defending Olympic Champions from Romania finishing with the Bronze (181.525), following their fierce battle with Russia, fourth (180.625).

The biggest surprise in this event were Japan (the 12th and last qualifier in Stuttgart'07), who took the fifth place (176.700), leaving behind the excellent team of Australia, in sixth, (176.525), very competitive France in seventh place (175.275) and Brazil, in eighth (174.875), which is their best result ever.

It was in the second rotation that the Russian team lost their lead with two falls and numerous 'wobbles' on Beam, while China shot into the lead on A. Bars with superb performances topped by the unbelievable He Kexin (16.850). Nastia Liukin (USA) scored highest so far in the Women’s competition in Beijing - 16.900 on A. Bars!

The real drama appeared in the third rotation when Cheng Fei (CHN) fell from the Beam performing a full twisting back somersault and Anna Pavlova (RUS) ran out of the Floor area which ended the Russia's great start. Sacramone of the USA was the next to fall from the Beam, and, as predicted this apparatus would eventually decide a medal placing, as Romania moved ahead of Russia.

Current ranking before the last rotation: 
1. CHN 143.100 - 2.USA  142.100 - 3. ROM  136.250 - 4. RUS  135.200.

In Rotation 4 the USA defeated themselves on Floor with a fall and three steps out of the area. China, whose progress on this apparatus has been phenomenal, made no errors and deservingly took the Gold 2.375pts. Ahead of the USA. Russia was unable to challenge Romania on Vault for the Bronze medal.

Lu Shan Zheng, the Head Coach of the Women's section of Chinese Gymnastics deserves great praise for all this achievement and today he was, indeed, a very happy man!

Nelly Kim, President of the FIG Technical Committee and former said: 'That was an excellent competition with an unclear outcome until the very end; with a deserving winner and correct ranking of the Teams. It was also the first Olympic Final with teams from Asia (Japan in fourth place), and Latin America (Brazil in eighth), taking top positions- good to see real evidence for the development of our sport throughout the world!'