Chinese star sprinter plays down prospect of breaking 10-second in National Games

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Chinese star sprinter Zhang Peimeng has played down his chances to break the 10-second barrier in men's 100m at the National Games, but vowed to go all out at the country's most premier sporting event.

"I am more eager than anyone else to break the 10-second barrier," Zhang told Xinhua Wednesday upon his arrival in Shenyang, where the 12th Chinese National Games are in full swing.

"But I feel exhausted after the world athletics championships, so I won't think too much about it. Anyway, I will try my best here," he added.

The 26-year-old Zhang clocked 10 seconds in last month's world championships in Moscow, a Chinese national record. Despite the fact that his time was nine thousandths of a second short to reach the final, Zhang already made history by becoming the first Chinese to make it to the second round of men's 100m in the world championships.

Zhang's coach Li Qing admitted that it would be very difficult for his protege to improve.

"Zhang didn't have enough time to prepare for the National Games as we were back from Moscow just three weeks ago. He lacked intensive training after the world championships and is not in the best shape," said Li.

"Furthermore, the weather in Shenyang isn't in favor for good results. It's a little cold.

"I'm very satisfied with Zhang's performance in 2013, so I won't set any target for him for the remainder of this year."

Su Bingtian, the former national record holder whose season's best is 10.04 seconds, is considered the main rival of Zhang at the National Games, the country's mini-Olympics.

The men's 100m final is scheduled for Sept. 8.

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