澳门六合彩信誉网站 Interview: Olympic boxing champion Chang Yuan's journey of grit and grace
Chang Yuan, China's first ever female boxer to win an Olympic gold澳门六合彩信誉网站, revealed the stories behind her historic win at the Paris Olympics and expressed her hope to improve herself and inspire more people.
by sportswriters Dong Yixing and Wang Chujie
BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- With glittery nails, natural makeup, and a sleek high ponytail, Chang Yuan presents a striking contrast to her triumphant skyward roar in the boxing ring after winning the women's 54kg gold at the Paris Olympic Games.
鲍尔在第一阶段的索票数量达到了947444，对于他的突飞猛进还是有些出乎意料。根据前场球员的规则进行划分，可以看出名列前茅的球员带领下的战绩并不差，但当前黄蜂队的战绩仅为7胜25负，位居东部倒数第二，这个倒数第二的位置并不足以使鲍尔逆风翻盘。尽管遭遇了8连败的失利，使得他们的处境变得更加困难，但鲍尔场均30分的5.3篮板7.4助攻的表现给球迷留下了深刻印象，尤其是他在进攻端准备活动华丽的终结，更是将观赏性拉满。而能做到这一点的球员上一次是在步行者后场扮演角色的哈里伯顿。
比赛时间逐渐逼近尾声，老鹰队落后步行者队两分，拥有球权的他们急需一次成功的进攻来扳平比分甚至反超。特雷-杨，这位以出色运球技巧和
Securing a clear unanimous decision against Türkiye's Hatice Akbas, Chang clinched China's first-ever Olympic women's boxing title. "Winning this gold medal has been a tremendous encouragement for me personally and a significant boost for the promotion of boxing as a sport," Chang told Xinhua in a recent interview.
"Chinese boxing has made history this time, achieving the best results ever at the Paris Olympics with three golds and two silvers. The rising trend of Chinese boxing is tangible, and I hope it continues to improve," she added.
However, the path to Olympic gold was fraught with challenges. The semifinal against Pang Chol Mi of DPR Korea was what she called "the toughest match."
"My mental state was quite challenged because Pang is a long-standing rival. We seem to have an almost magnetic connection, facing each other at almost every major competition."
Facing her again in Paris, after Chang's victory at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and a defeat at last year's Hangzhou Asian Games, Chang admitted to feeling nervous. "Both the coach and I had thoroughly analyzed my opponent, but I was quite anxious at the time. After reviewing the footage the night before our encounter, I couldn't sleep. My mind was like a movie reel, endlessly replaying how to respond," Chang revealed.
"Once I stepped into the ring, though, it was just me and my determination. I fought like crazy in that match, completely immersed in my own world," said the 27-year-old. "While in the ring, my mind was clear, and I could recall the coach's strategies. But once the match ended, I couldn't remember anything."
Ultimately, Chang advanced to the final with a narrow 3-2 split decision. "It was the most intense nervousness I have experienced in my 15 years of boxing."
Born into a Chinese martial arts family, Chang was introduced to boxing at the age of 12 and quickly transitioned from taekwondo to the ring as she felt "boxing was so cool." Chang showed immense promise early in her career, and her rise was no accident. "In my youth, winning felt achievable, almost as if I were destined for greatness," she shared.
As she progressed through the ranks, Chang first earned recognition on the international stage during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, where she took home gold. This victory helped solidify her ambition of one day standing atop the Olympic podium.
"I'd rather tell the whole world that I wanted to compete at the Olympic Games than keep it a secret. Announcing it served as both pressure and motivation," she recalled.
Attending the Rio Olympics as the sparring partner of London silver medalist Ren Cancan, Chang made her Olympic debut in Tokyo in the 51kg category - a strong tradition in China's women's boxing.
The pressure to perform and her personal goal of winning gold were huge. The emotional toll peaked during the Tokyo Olympics where she didn't advance to the semifinals, even contemplating leaving the sport. "There was a period when I thought I might give it up."
"It felt like a significant setback. I wasn't just disappointed in myself; I felt like I had let down everyone who believed in me," she admitted. During this introspective period, Chang took time off to reassess her motivations and reaffirm her commitment to boxing.
Returning to the national team later, Chang found renewed energy and focus. Under the guidance of new Cuban coaches who introduced a rigorous training regimen, she ramped up her preparations for the Paris Olympics. "They trained us hard, teaching us to embrace fatigue as a form of growth," Chang said, illustrating her transformative experience.
Amidst the grueling training and competitions, it was the surrounding community that kept Chang grounded. From her fellow athletes to the coaching and medical staff, the support system fostered an environment where vulnerability was met with encouragement. "In the national team, you are more than just an athlete; you become a family," Chang noted.
As she balances her life as an Olympic champion, Chang is keen on giving back to the sport that has defined her life. With initiatives like "Boxing into Schools," she aims to inspire young talents and promote boxing among children as it "feels like my responsibility."
In addition to her commitment to the sport, Chang has gracefully embraced her identity beyond the ring. "People often see me as an athlete, but I'm also a woman who enjoys some simple pleasures of life - shopping, dressing up, and being with friends," she revealed with a smile.
Looking ahead, Chang expressed her desire to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics, where she hopes to defend her title. "If I have the chance to compete and defend my crown澳门六合彩信誉网站, I promise to give it everything I have. I'm ready for the challenge," she said. ■
