Chinese beach volleyballers have made Dec. 11, 2006 a day to remember as
they wrapped up for the first time both of two gold medals at Asian Games
yesterday.
Zhou Xun/Li Jian downed Wu Penggen/Xu Linyin in the all-Chinese men's final
and Xue Chen/Zhang Xi added a second gold by rallying past a Japanese team.
Top-seeded Chinese pair Wang Jie/Tian Jia picked a women's bronze.
The collection of two golds, one silver and one bronze bettered China's
record in last Asian Games, in which the country bagged a 1-2 finish in the
women's event and a bronze medal in the men's.
"We have not only realized our goals, but also made history," said Miao
Zhihong, head coach of the Chinese teams. "I'm so proud of my players,
especially the two young champion pairs. The experience they gained from the
comeback victories is a fortune for them to prepare for the 2008 Beijing
Olympics."
It is indeed remarkable for two young champion teams as they were both
defeated by the final match opponents and finally survived from a second-chance
bracket.
"It's a big surprise and I still feel scared after the match," said Li Jian
after defeating Wu Penggen/Xu Linyin 22-20, 12-21, 15-13 with his partner.
Seventeen-year-old Xue Chen was more excited after the stunning19-21, 21-11,
15-13 win over the Japanese women.
"I want to call my family and share my happiness with them," said Xue. "I was
not expecting this at all. I was not even thinking of anything, just trying to
do my best."
Wang Jie and Tian Jia capped off a successful day for China with their
victory over the Thai Kulna Kamoltip and Sannok Jaruneein the bronze medal
match.
The top seeds won in straight sets, 21-12, 21-15, and the Thai duo settled
for the fourth place for the second time at Asian Games.
"We have to focus on the preparation for the 2008 Olympics since now, as our
goal is to enter the top eight at the Olympics," said head coach Miao.
"Only the world's top 45 ranked teams are qualified for the Olympics and we
still have long way to go to catch up with strong European and Brazilian
players, so the year of 2007 is a year of fight for us," he said.
In the men's third place play-off earlier in the day, Indonesian Salim Agus
claimed some consolation for missing out on the gold medal for the third time.
He and his partner Supriadi Supriadi came from one set down to beat
compatriots Ardiyansah Andy and Darkuncoro Koko Prasetyo 21-23, 21-18, 15-13.
