ATHENS, Aug. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Table tennis powerhouse China, which has so far grabbed three golds from the table tennis tournament of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, deserves its victory,Adham Sharara, president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) said here Monday.

    "I congratulate China for winning three golds here so far and still having the chance to win another. They (the Chinese players)really deserve it because they prepared very very well," said Sharara at a press conference shortly before the start of the men's singles final.

    China already seized three golds at this tournament in women's doubles, men's doubles and women's singles. Chinese player Wang Hao will play South Korean Ryu Seung Min shortly in the men's singles final.

    "The Chinese table tennis association, the Chinese sports commission as well as the Chinese athletes deserve what they are getting. They are preparing very very well, and in my opinion, they are preparing better than any other nations," said the ITTF president.

    "They are coming all the time to international competitions with younger and stronger players, and in my opinion they would continue to dominate table tennis for a long time, unless players from other nations can equal the amount and quality of training," he added.

    In his opening remarks at the press conference, Sharara alreadysaid that he observed an Asian dominance at this tournament, as all finals for the four events were played between Asian paddlers.

    Asked to predict the result of the men's singles final, Shararasaid that he only hoped the best player would win. Enditem