Veteran shuttler Zhang Ning secures one gold for China at Beijing Olympic Games
15/8/2008 17:04
Chinese shuttler Zhang Ning beat Maria Kristin Yulianti from Indonesia in
Beijing today at the women's singles semifinals, securing the gold of the event
for China at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Zhang beat Yulianti 21-15, 21-15.
Just before the match, top seed and Zhang's teammate Xie Xingfang defeated Lu
Lan, also from China, to check into the final.
"I did it! I have told myself
two years ago that an Olympic gold medal was good, but securing the gold for
Chinese was above all," said Zhang Ning after the match.
Zhang, 33, said she
was exhausted after today's match. "I said after the previous matches that I had
no problems with stamina. Actually I lied to myself so as not to lose
confidence."
"How could an athlete at my age be as energetic as those in
their twenties?" Zhang said.
The defending Olympic champion said she would do
her best to fight Xie in the final, "so I can have some sweet memories for
myself." Yulianti said after her defeat "I was not ready and I was not brave
enough to give my all."
"I tried my best, I was not tired but I couldn't do
anything because Zhang Ning had anticipated all my shots," the Indonesian
said.
Yulianti will compete for the bronze against Lu Lan from China. "This
is my first Olympics and I thank God for the experience," Yulianti
said.
Xinhua
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