.The scene in the platforms at Roland Garrosu00e2 $ s Courthouse Philippe-Chatrier was actually dotted with vermillion streamers, including a radiance to the already orangey air originating off the reddish clay court.These were actually Mandarin flagsu00e2 $” numerous themu00e2 $” swing in boisterous support for Qinwen Zheng, 21, that would very soon take gold by defeating Croatiau00e2 $ s Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the womenu00e2 $ s singles ping pong final.As she put down on the gunk, eyes skyward and fists stretched right into the Paris haze, the winu00e2 $ s gravitation seemed to enroll: Zheng had actually only shaped the type of past history that expanded far past the arena and also the minute. This was actually Chinau00e2 $ s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the sportu00e2 $” and also Zheng had actually made clear of the fact that the Olympics were actually as, if not additional, vital to her than a Grand Slam.Zheng celebrates her Olympic victory on August 3.Photograph: Getty Imagesu00e2 $ In China, our team regularly think a countryu00e2 $ s respect is in front of private success, u00e2 $ she mentioned over a morning appointment at Nikeu00e2 $ s Athlete Home, tucked discreetly in between the Stade de France as well as the Aquatics Centre in Parisu00e2 $ s St. Denis area, the day after her conquest.
u00e2 $ I managed [the Games] differentlyu00e2 $” the emotional state, the fight, the way of thinking: It felt different than every other tournament Iu00e2 $ ve played.u00e2 $ Birthed in 2002 in Shiyan, China, Zheng started playing ping pong at grow older 7. At grow older 8, she relocated, without her mom and daddy, to Wuhan for better coaching, as well as due to the fact that teenage years she has greatly marvelled at and emulated Mandarin professional athletes, including the ping pong celebrity Li Na as well as the runner Liu Xiang, that succeeded gold at the 2004 Athens Games.u00e2 $ It was actually difficult, u00e2 $ Zheng stated, looking back at those very early days. u00e2 $ My mom used to follow check out on weekend breaks.
When she left, I will hold her lower leg and also weep. When she was gone, I will constantly store her coat. This was actually up until I was 13.
After thirteen, my mom determined to quit her job and also come remain with me full time, simply to possess better development and better treatment. Afterwards, it obtained less complicated. And also our team transferred to Europe when I was actually 17.
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