China's world beaters eye Atlanta gold

China's men gymnasts have been urged by world champion Li Xiaoshuang to surpass their World Championship triumphs at next year's Atlanta Olympics.

"We will be put under bigger pressure, so we must make more effort to improve our skills," Li said after China's men's squad, led by Li, defended the team title in Sabae, Japan, with a margin of 3.061 points over Japan.

Li also overcame the Olympic champion, Vitaly Sherbo of Belarus, and the European champion, Evgeni Chabaev of Russia, to capture the individual all-around crown for the first time.

Despite their brilliant performances, the Chinese men failed to win a single apparatus final at the championships, and must develop their skills if they are to enhance their reputation at the summer games.