By Sportswriter Gao Peng

    BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- China looked set to knock the United States off the top of Olympics medal table as the hosts' gold juggernaut was in high gear, while hurdles star Liu Xiang apologized for his shock withdrawal.

    The Chinese scooped up four gold medals on Tuesday, two in gymnastics and one apiece in trampoline and diving, to increase their total to 43, well ahead of the United States (26). But the United States had 79 medals, three more than China.

    Three gold medals in sailing and cycling on Day 11 cemented Britain's third place in the medal standings and 16 golds is already its best performance since 1920.

    On the last of three nights of gymnastics event finals, Li Xiaopeng and Zou Kai capped China's best Olympic performance ever by grabbing gold medals in the parallel bars and high bar.

Li Xiaopeng of China celebrates after claiming the title of men's parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) Photo Gallery>>>

    Li, the gold medalist on the parallel bars eight years ago in Sydney and the bronze medalist in Athens, scored a highest mark of 16.45 points to reclaim his Olympic crown on the apparatus. South Korean Yoo Won-chul won the silver with 16.25, while Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan captured bronze with a mark of 16.2.

    "It means a lot to me. I paid a lot for this gold medal... I got through the hard times due to the help of my teammates and coach. I will share the gold medal with them," said Li.

    The 27-year-old Li now has 16 Olympic and world titles, consolidating his status as the most decorated Chinese gymnast ever and well ahead of Li Ning's 14.

    "He (Chen Xiong) said to me 'remember, your gold medals not only belong to you, but they belong to the whole team,'" he said.

    Zou captured his second individual gold with victory in the men's high bar. The 20-year-old won the floor exercise title on Sunday.

    "I spent the most time on practising horizontal bar because it is the weakest apparatus for the Chinese team. During previous competitions, I wasn't very stable. I was here to fight for the gold today," said Zou.

    Shawn Johnson finally won a gold after winning three silver medals in Beijing. She led a 1-2 U.S. finish on the beam, beating compatriot and all-round winner Nastia Liukin. China's Cheng Wei won the bronze medal.

Shawn Johnson of the United States celebrates during the awarding ceremony for women's balance beam final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Johnson claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.225. (Xinhua/Ren Long) Photo Gallery>>>

    "This moment feels better than I thought it ever would because I've gone through a lot of hard times this week," said Johnson.

    China picked up nine of the 14 golds on offer in gymnastics, the most since the former Soviet Union won 10 in 1988.

    Lu Chunlong won the men's trampoline competition, handing China a sweet sweep of gold medals in the event. Teammate He Wenna won the women's event on Monday.

    On top of that, Chinese divers kept alive their dreams of a clean sweep of eight golds as He Chong won the men's 3m springboard by a comfortable margin. He amassed 572.90 points from his six dives, more than 30 points ahead of second-placed Alexandre Despatie of Canada. Another Chinese, Qin Kai earned the bronze.

    So far, China has won six gold medals in as many events.

    A day after pulling out of the men's 110m hurdles race due to injury, Chinese star Liu Xiang made an apology to his fans during an interview with Chinese central television CCTV.

    "So many people have been worried and caring about me. I feel sorry," Liu said. "I could do nothing but pull out of the race."

    The 25-year-old Liu, touted as an icon of China's sport since he won the men's 110m hurdles in Athens four years ago, said he never quit easily.

    "I am not that type of person. I never quit easily. I believe I will come back," he said.

    With the absence of Liu Xiang, Usain Bolt became the biggest star at the Bird's Nest stadium. The 21-year-old Jamaican moved another step closer in his bid for a golden sprint double when he cruised into the 200m final.

    Bolt, who was crowned the 100m champion in a world record time of 9.69 seconds Saturday, clocked a fastest time of 20.09 seconds in the semifinals.

    Cuban world record holder Dayron Robles stormed into the 110m hurdles semifinals. Robles is heavily favored to win the gold after Liu's withdrawal.

    Russia's Andrey Silnov cleared 2.36 meters to win the men's high jump, while the women's 100m hurdles gold went to Dawn Harper of the United States in 12.54 seconds.

    Rashid Ramzi gifted Bahrain its first-ever Olympic medal when he won the men's 1,500m gold medal. The Moroccan-born runner was timed in 3 minutes 32.94 seconds.

    Christine Ohuruogu of Britain won the 400m in 49.62 seconds, and world champion Gerd Kanter of Estonia secured the gold in the men's discus throw with his fourth attempt at 68.82 meters.

 

Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain celebrates after the women's 400m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. (Xinhua/Guo Yong) Photo Gallery>>>

   Elsewhere, China is within one win of equaling its best-ever performance in the Olympic women's basketball tournament. Miao Lijie scored a game-high 28 points to lead China past Belarus 77-62 to reach the semifinals.

    The Chinese next face world champion Australia, a 79-46 winner over the Czech Republic.

    China's previous best result in Olympic women's basketball was at the 1992 Barcelona Games - a silver medal behind the unified team of former Soviet Union.

    In a repeat of the women's volleyball final in Athens, defending champion China outclassed Russia in straight sets - 25-22, 27-25, 25-19 - to book a berth in the last four. The Chinese, who came from two sets down to beat Russia 3-2 in an epic final four years ago, meet Brazil in the semifinals on Thursday. The South Americans brushed aside Japan 3-0 to reach the semifinals.

    In soccer, Sergio Aguero scored twice and Juan Riquelme converted a penalty kick to hand Argentina an impressive 3-0 win over arch-rival Brazil, who finished with nine men. Argentine will vie for the gold medal with Nigeria, who thrashed Belgium 4-1 in the other semifinal.