OLYMPICS /
Team China
History-making Chinese wrestler lets Olympic dream on
Xinhua
Updated: 2008-08-13 22:42
BEIJING - After knocking out a world champion Wednesday morning, Chang Yongxiang, who has never been a favorite for major tournaments, escalated his ambition toward one of the world's best wrestlers.
Chang Yongxiang of China (in red) and Manuchar Kvirkelia of Georgia fight during their men's 74 kg Greco-Roman wrestling final bout at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 13, 2008. [Agencies] |
Chang made the history by taking the first-ever Olympic men's wrestling silver for China in the 74kg Greco-Roman in Beijing on Wedensday night.
Five months ago, the dream of Chang, was simply to be an Olympian to the Games that are hosted by his own country.
The Olympics seemed not as tough as he previously thought when he fought into the final of his category. Most didn't expect much chance of him before he encountered world champion Yavor Yanakiev of Bulgaria. He overwhelmed the Bulgarian in two comfortable bouts, which greatly fueled him up for next challenges.
The 23-year-old met no substantial challenge until what Belarusian Aleh Mikhalovich posed to him. After a big-margin defeat in the first bout, Chang adjusted his tactics and destroyed his rival with quick movement and explosion.
The tactics were the key to the giant killer, said Sheng Zetian, three-time Olympic bronze medalist who is now head coach of the Chinese wrestling team.
Chang's success continued since the victory over Yanakiev but was stopped by the gold medalist Manuchar Kvirkelia who won Georgia the first gold in the Beijing Olympics.
A silver was obviously an unfulfilled mission for his Olympic dream. The young wrestler stood tearful while seeing the red five-star national flag being raised in the victory ceremony. Both he and his coach wished to hear the national anthem, or the top Olympic honor.
Chang said, "I was so upset not to win China a gold although this is the best result of the men wrestlers in the Olympics."
"He (Kvirkelia) was obviously better than I," Chang said. After Chang's securing a final berth this morning, his coach helped him prepare a lot in a bid to get the gold.