10. Januar 2008  
Kuala Lumpur / Malaysia  
Artistic Gymnastics

Zhang Zifeng takes over Malysian men s team

ZIFENG, Zhang

The National Malaysian Sports Council has hired Chinese coach Zhang Zifeng (pic) to add depth to the Malaysian men's artistic gymnastics team.

The 39-year old former Chinese gymnast (1984 - 1987) comes with the credentials of having coached the Chinese national team between 1998 to 2001and he will begins his work 2008 under a two-year contract ...
ZIFENG, Zhang  has also coached former national number one of Malaysia, Ng Shu Wai for one year prior to the Malaysian's first major breakthrough – winning a silver medal at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.
Zifeng told the Malaysian press, that he would start from scratch and that this included scouting for young talents.
“After coaching in China for a long time, I was eager to turn professional. I left for Singapore last year and now I am here to take up new challenges,” he said.
After serving as a national gymnast from 1984-1987, Zifeng went on to coach the Chinese national team between 1998 and 2001 before moving to the Hebei training centre as their chief coach from 2001-2005.
Among the gymnasts who emerged as world-beaters under his charge were Chen Yibing and Li Di, gold medallists in the pommel horse at the World Championships and World Cup series respectively.

Zifeng said that his experiences, both as a gymnast and as a coach, had helped him to understand gymnasts better.
“Some may have discipline problems but I have a way to deal with them. Malaysia may not have a strong men's team now. Let me work on it. I have to find out the system used here and discover new talent,” he said.
For now, Zifeng will have to work with Korat SEA Games gold medallist Ooi Wei Siang, Lum Wan Foong, Mohd Azzam Azmi and Mohd Shahril Johari.
*source: the star