Chinese army generals shed weight during parade training

Chinese army generals have shed more than five kg while training for the September 3 military parade, a media report said on Thursday.

The parade would be held to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

More than 50 generals, with an average age of 53, will lead parade units involving 12,000 people. The oldest general is 58, more than 30 years older than other soldiers, China Daily reported.

The generals have sought no privileges and trained as strictly as all ranks although they are behind younger recruits in terms of reflexes, agility and physical strength, the report said.

Lt. General Deng Zhiping, 52, said he shed more than 7 kg since the training began. "My waistline was trimmed down by 12 cm," he said.

Many generals have overcome injuries and illness in training but insist on practicing overtime, said Feng Kaichun, the trainer-in-charge.

He said they seek extra time for training to perform to a high standard.

Major General Zhang Haiqing, aged 56, straps 4 kg of weights on his legs during training to ensure the required pace, he added.

For the perfect standing posture, the generals place poker cards between their knees to ensure there's no visible gap and between their hands and legs to keep their arms locked to their body.

To increase stamina, they practice marching more than 200 meters at a time, far more than the 96 meters their coach requires, and they practice several times a day.