China News Service, Nagoya, Japan, October 1st. Title: Chinese athletes pursue their dreams of the Asian Games: "On behalf of the motherland, we must go all out."
Reporter Li Zhiquan
On October 1, at the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games, Chinese athletes competed on multiple fronts in sailing, kayaking, shooting, rock climbing, tennis and other sports, fighting hard for gold and silver, and celebrating the birthday of their motherland with their hard work on the field.
In the Asian Games tennis women's singles semi-finals held that morning, 37-year-old veteran Zhang Shuai completed a reversal after being broken first in both sets and defeated Kazakhstan's Putintseva 6:4, 6:2 to advance to the women's singles final. This is also the first time in 8 years that she has reached the Asian Games tennis women's singles final.
Although there are no points in the Asian Games and no commercial rewards in professional tennis, in Zhang Shuai's heart, the pride of playing for his country is irreplaceable. "Whether it is the Olympics, the Asian Games or the Billie Jean Gold Cup, as long as I can represent my motherland, I will do my best. This sense of honor cannot be given by ordinary professional events. I am very lucky to represent the country on the field, and I also hope that I can do better." Zhang Shuai said.
Winning an Asian Games singles gold medal has always been Zhang Shuai's dream. In her opinion, it is those unfinished dreams that push her to work hard day after day and move closer to her goal step by step.
On this day, Zhang Shuai continues to run for his dream, and Chinese athletes are also fighting for honor in various arenas.
In the women's softball round robin, the Chinese women's softball team defeated the Philippine team 7:0 and won six consecutive preliminaries. In the men's singles quarter-finals of tennis, Chinese player Wu Yibing defeated Indian player Nagar and advanced to the semi-finals.
The Chinese men's volleyball team also faces a tough battle on National Day. Facing the Thai team, the Chinese team won 3:0 in straight games and advanced to the semi-finals. So far, China's three major goals in this Asian Games have all entered the semifinals.
Vital Haining, the head coach of the Chinese team, revealed after the game that the team had suffered injuries before and faced an intensive schedule of four games in five days. "This is not easy and the consumption is very high." He said that although the Chinese team is superior in strength, "it should win" on the field and "it has never been taken for granted."
On the field, five-star red flags were raised one after another.
The sailing event has its first final day. In the men's 49er final, the Chinese combination Liu Tian/Wen Zaiding withstood the pressure and won the gold medal with outstanding performance. They successfully defended their title and stood on the highest podium.
There was also good news in the kayak slalom. In the men's single rowing final, Chinese player Zhang Zhicheng won the championship in 98.09 seconds, adding another gold medal to the Chinese team. So far, the Chinese team has achieved two consecutive Asian Games championships in this event.
The shooting project comes to an end. In the men's 25-meter rapid fire pistol team event, the Korean team won the gold medal with a total score of 1,749 rings, and the Chinese team won the silver medal with a total score of 1,740 rings. In the individual finals, Su Lianbofan and South Korean player Lee Jianhyuk both hit 32 and entered the playoffs. In the end, Li Jianhe won and Su Lianbofan won the silver medal.
Also in the women's 86kg weightlifting finals of the Asian Games, Chinese player Wu Yan held up the gold medal and said with a smile after winning the championship: "This is a birthday gift to my mother in the motherland." She admitted that it was the first time she stood on the highest podium of the Asian Games, and her feelings were different from those of the World Championships and national competitions. "I think it is very proud and honorable to raise the national flag and play the national anthem."
Li Wenwen, who participated in the Asian Games for the first time, won the women's 86kg and above category and achieved a career grand slam. She said: "This really makes me feel what it means to dream into reality."
The 32-year-old Wang Shun competed in the Asian Games for the fifth time. He won a bronze medal in the men's 400-meter individual medley and ended his last Asian Games trip with 1 gold and 2 bronze. After the game, he said frankly, "My original intention has never changed: to raise the national flag and play the national anthem at the stadium."
"No matter how long I can swim in the future, I will cherish every opportunity to jump into the water and do my best for Chinese sports." Wang Shun expressed his belief that in the future, more young players will carve out a world on the international stage and shine their own light.
Men's speed rock climbing, rhythmic gymnastics, seven-a-side rugby and taekwondo are still in progress. Chinese athletes are still attacking new goals, and the Asian Games venues are still lively.
One medal after another, fighting hard again and again, Chinese athletes sweated and chased their dreams in the Asian Games, and also dedicated their own way to the 77th anniversary of the motherland.
