Asian Rowing Championships kicks off in E China

Athletes perform for audience during the 15th Asian Rowing Championships on September 25, 2013. The contest which has attracted 300 competitors kicked off on the same day in east China's Anhui province. [Photo: China News Service/ Zhang Yazi]

The 15th Asian Rowing Championships kicked off in Lu'an city, east China's Anhui province on Wednesday.

According to the organizing committee, about 300 rowers from 20 countries and regions will compete for 16 gold medals in the next four days.

The Chinese team of 49 rowers, including Olympic gold winners Zhang Yangyang, Tang Bin and Jin Ziwei, will participate in all the 16 races, the organizers said.

"The 2013 Asian Rowing Championships attracts top rowers in Asia and will be a good opportunity for them to get familiar with each other ahead of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games," said Ken Li, secretary general of the championships said at the opening ceremony.

The championships runs from Sept. 25 to 29.