Zhang Jinjing Cleared, Wins MPSF Title

Zhang Jinjing Lashes Out at Chinese Press

Brussels Interview

The University of California-Berkeley has recruited Chinese Olympian Zhang Jinjing, a move men's head coach Barry Weiner calls "thrilling" for his team. "He's going to make everyone on the team a better gymnast," Weiner told IG. "And he's going to help me learn more gymnastics."

Zhang, who will turn 24 in November, will begin attending Cal-Berkeley this fall. Previously, the Beijing native had been an individual standout for China. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, he placed fourth all-around and won a silver medal with his team. In 1995 and 1997 he was a member of China's gold medal-winning team at the World Championships, and in 1997 he was world champion on parallel bars. Injuries and other problems prevented him from competing in the 1999 World Championships and 2000 Olympic Games, and he relocated to the United States.

In 2001, Zhang worked (out) at South Coast Gymnastics in Santa Ana, Calif., along with Li Xiaoping, 1981 co-World Champion on pommel horse for China. Zhang was introduced to Cal though South Coast coach Tim Picquelle, a friend of Weiner's.

Eager to have a gymnast of Zhang's caliber join his team, Weiner fought to get Zhang enrolled at Berkeley. Zhang was hindered by limited English, said Weiner, but excellent scores in math supported his application.

"I had to work hard for Jinjing to gain admission," said Weiner, who served as an assistant coach for the U.S. men's team at the 2000 Olympic Games. "Academically he had no omissions. However, he scored nearly 700 in the math portion of the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). I argued that Jinjing's ability in math is an indicator of how smart he is, and he will pick up English without any problems."

Despite his injury-induced break from gymnastics, Zhang is still capable of helping the Berkeley men's team "immensely," said Weiner. "On three events - parallel bars, pommel horse, and high bar - he's potentially the best in the world," said Weiner. "Rings will take some adjustment. However, his old parallel bars routine has almost a 10.00 start value. All he is basically going to add is a peach basket and he will have the 10.00 value. And not only is it easy for him, he's got flawless form."

Weiner predicts Zhang will do all the events but floor for his team, which won the NCAA championships in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. "A wrist injury he had before appears to be fine," he said. "But I think his feet are still somewhat sore."

Another international member of Zhang's new team is incoming sophomore David Eaton, the 2001 British national champion.

Weiner said he is excited not only for his team, but the opportunities now offered to Zhang. "The benefits for us are obvious; he's going to make everyone on the team better. But it's not only great for us; Zhang will be the first in his family to graduate from a real college, and he'll do it at one of the world's great universities."