Predicting a tough challenge for Indian shooters from the hosts in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Tuesday said the Chinese were preparing for the Games on a war footing.

"In every event they have no less than 50 shooters who can trouble the best. They are preparing for the Games on a war footing and in 2005 alone they have added 25 new shooting ranges," Rathore said.

He said the Chinese shooters will pose a big challenge on their home soil and it would be a war out there.

"The difference is that they are being pushed by a system whereas we push on our own. Let's see who wins in 2008."

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Rathore, however, was satisfied with his performances in the "experimental year" after changing his gun in April.

The double trap shooter, who began firing with his new custom made Perazzi DB 81 from the ISSF World Cup in Rome in May, was not bothered by his recent results though he feels he does not deserve to be ranked second in the world.

"It was my decision to change the gun and there is no better time to experiment as we don't have any quota places for Olympics in the World Cup series this year," Rathore told reporters in New Delhi.

"But I am surprised that I am still ranked number two in the world. I don't deserve to be number two at the moment," said Rathore who also held the No.1 spot for a few months.

Asked whether he was upset about his lack of podium finishes this season going by his own high standards, Rathore wanted to take the positives out of his misses.