Some of the world's best young athletes are on show in Shenzhen at the 26th Universiade, and Tang Zhe says you shouldn't miss the opportunity to see the blossoming of their careers.

Watching the Universiade?

You should be. If not, start soon, or you will miss the chance to get an early glimpse of tomorrow's superstars.

Known as the "Little Olympics", the World University Games have unveiled numerous sports icons like American sprinter Michael Johnson, Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang and newly-crowned French Open champion, Li Na.

The games this year also feature lots of rising talent, bearing their countries' hopes of future Olympic and international glory.

Basketball: The US team

The next generation of American basketball talent is taking to the court in Shenzhen; and will only be satisfied by taking home the gold.

"It's (World University Games) going to be a great experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives. We just want to come out and make sure we win the gold medal," American guard John Jenkins said after their team thrashed Chinese professional team Dongguan New Century 88-61 in an friendly on Aug 11 in Huizhou, Guangzhou.

Many American NBA players have played in the Universiade, such as Ray Allen. Jenkins also hopes to follow in those footsteps.

"I'm a huge Ray Allen fan, so just to hear his name associated with the same competition I'm playing in is definitely a huge honor," the 20-year-old said. "I'm blessed to be a part of the American basketball team and everything that is going on around here and especially to be in China."

Ashton Gibbs and Darius Miller are holdovers from the team that won the 2009 Under-19 World Championship.

"Everyone on this team is good and everyone is capable of having a big game," Gibbs said. "We are not really worried about who it is. As long as we continue to be unselfish, we will be fine."

Soccer: Japanese men's soccer team, Yamamura Kazuya

The Japanese soccer team also has its eyes on the gold and the line-up was labeled as the country's strongest youth team ever by coach Ohira Masaki.

Captain Yamamura Kazuya is the most popular player of the team. At age 22, the talented midfielder, who plays for Ryutsu Keizai University FC, was named captain of the Japanese team at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and led it to the men's championship.

"Yamamura is (the kind of) talent who appears once every 10 years," the coach said. "He clearly knows his position in the match and understands soccer very well. He will be the most important player on the national team and the treasure of Japanese soccer."

With three Universiade gold medals and seven Olympic team members at hand, it's not hard to see Japan, whose national line-ups have swept titles at the Guangzhou Asian Games, Qatar Asian Cup and Women's World Cup in Germany, strolling away with another title from Shenzhen.

Diving: Chinese diving team, He Zi

It is always an embarrassing experience for Chinese people to talk about their national soccer teams now, even basketball. But when it comes to diving, the Chinese "Dream Team" rarely disappoints its compatriots.

With the participation of world champions He Chong, Chen Ruolin, Qin Kai and He Zi, the Universiade is like a platform to the London Olympics for the host side.

Among them, Shenzhen diver He Zi is expected to assume the baton from former Chinese diving queen Guo Jingjing and become the No 1 diver on the women's side.

Born in 1990, He started to practice diving at the age of six. She claimed her first world title in the 1m springboard at the 2007 World Championships, her first year in the national team. At the Shanghai World Championships in July, He finished a gold and a silver.

"Shenzhen is my home and (to compete in the Universiade) is a precious opportunity for me," the 20-year-old said. "I think now what I need to do is recover from injuries, adjust my mentality and then try to do better at each event."

Athletics: Yin Jing

Ten years ago, Liu Xiang claimed his first international title at the Beijing Universiade. Now, Belgrade Universiade gold medalist Yin Jing is set to defend his title at home.

"Yin was a high jumper before he started hurdling (the same as Liu), so his basic skill is really good," Sun Haiping, who has spent 13 years coaching Liu, said in 2007. "He is the most likely one to become the second Liu Xiang."

Yin's career slowed down in 2009 after he got injured at the World Championships in Germany. The 23-year-old returned to the track this year and is expected to lift his form at the Universiade and enhance his prospects at the London Olympics.

According to Yin's coach, Wu Feng, the athlete has recovered well and already reached the Olympic qualifying mark in the 110m hurdles. Although it would be hard for him to reach a personal best time of 13.38 seconds in Shenzhen, he will spare no effort to defend the title.

(China Daily 08/14/2011 page8)