Rise of the China Athlete

[raymond]

The following is a weblink to a January 22, 2010 newspaper article in the "Globe and Mail" in Canada describing the incredibly awesome fast and furious upstart of the Winter Olympics athletes of China:

www.ctvolympics.ca/snowboard/news/newsid=27461.html#formulaic+approach+paying+chinese+athletes

Enjoy,
Raymond

[douglaslam]

Raymond,

It is a great web link. It raises my interest in the Winter Olympics. No, I won't be taking two weeks off work to watch the Games on TV as I did in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Snow sports are alien to me ( I dare say Geoff as well), and I can't name one current outstanding winter Olympians, not even our Aussie team members. I experienced snowing but once about 25 years ago in our Snowy Mts resort. Two car loads of us went, children and all. We giggled like little kids when the snow came tumbling down. What an experience! No sooner had we checked in our cabin, out came the mah jong tiles. Where there are Chinese, a mah jong game can't be too far away.

Back to snow business. China's push to achieve sporting greatness often come in for harsh criticism. In the process many youngsters are injured for life by the unrelenting and brutal training regime. I reserve my criticism, for many poor families it is a way out of poverty. This regime of training is also common for budding acrobats, opera performers, dancers etc. We are familiar with Li Cunxin of Mao's Last Dancer fame. He was plucked out to join Jiang Qing's dance academy during the Cultural Revolution. Eventually, he became one of the world's top male ballet dancer.

Western countries have to learn that Chinese students do submit themselves to their coaches. Hard work and diligence aside, the coach is a mentor and master in our culture. It is not a simple commercial relationship. It gets results. Those who cry foul is just a case of sour grapes.

Douglas

[geoff]

Douglas,

Aussie Winter Gold are few & far between but have you forgotten.................

Australia's first ever Winter Olympic gold was by Steven Bradbury in the 1000m short track speed skating. Well off the pace in the final, all four other competitors crashed out at the final corner, leaving a shocked Bradbury to take the gold medal. How can you forget that final? It's been replayed so many times.

Also, Alisa Camplin, Gold Medallist Salt Lake 2002, Freestyle Aerial Skiing, 2nd gold medal ever .

Australia Post issued stamps for their golden performances.

Geoff

[douglaslam]

Geoff,

I haven't forgotten Stephen Bradbury's surprise victory.It is that I don't know anyone from the current crop. It was no fluke, you don't get to an Olympic final and win on luck alone. There is a lot of sweat and tears over many years.

Last Winter Olympics was also remembered by the two Chinese skaters having the same name Yang Yang. They were in the same event, officials and commentators had to call them Yang Yang 1 and Yang Yang 2.

Just now, a Chinese woman has broken through in the Australian Open Tennis. She is the first from China to reach the semi-final stage in the Oz grand slam. Let's hope she can produce the goods.

[douglaslam]

I've never played a game nor this excited over a game of tennis; two Chinese girls are in the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Both Zheng Jie and now Li Na have won their matches against great odds, and both are through to the last four. Let's hope both girls can go on with the task and make it an all-China final.

I can just imagine the excitement in both girls' respective home villages. The firecrackers, drums, cymbals and gongs will be out together with the lions, and celebrate only the Chinese know how. Win, lose or draw, the girls are doing us proud.

[helen]

Already further into a Grand Slam tournament than she's ever been, Li Na is reluctant to say it has taken her best tennis to reach the Australian Open semifinals.

"I don't want say yes, because tournament not finished yet," Li said after her stunning comeback victory over Venus Williams today.

That win made history - landing two Chinese players in the semifinals of the one Grand Slam event for the first time.

On court after her 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 quarterfinal win, a beaming Li called it: "Best day for my whole life."

Li is on track for a top 10 ranking - her highest so far was No. 15 last October - and joins compatriot Zheng Jie in the semifinals.

"Good for both players. Also good for China's tennis," Li said. "Also good for the fans. Thank you."

Li's win against one Williams sister puts her on court against the another - defending champion Serena - in the semifinals.

Zheng's next opponent is former No. 1-ranked Justine Henin, who is blazing through her comeback to tennis.

The Chinese women who have advanced through the Australian Open are two of the four who opted to leave China's state sports federation at the end of 2008.

The move gave them the freedom for the first time to choose their own coaches and schedules and keep most of their winnings - previously the state body collected 60 per cent; now Li pays them just 12 per cent.

While the players must now pay their own way to tournaments, Li sees some personal advantages in her new regimen with her own team.

"Right now I was feeling good because I have my team come with me," she said. "And then because I'm lazy, so right now if I didn't want practice I just tell my team, 'We take day off.' Before, if came with national team, I say, 'Can I take a day off?' and maybe they say no to me"

www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10622650

[douglaslam]

The good news is no more. Both semi-finalists from China lost in straight sets. Li Na gave the younger Williams sister a run for her money. What the two girls have achieved was certainly unprecedented. It gives the sport in China a shot in the arm.

Well done girls.

[douglaslam]

It is now approaching the business end of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. Again China's hope is riding on Li Na. She has reached semi-finals again. Let's hope she can produce the goods and be the first Chinese and first Asian to win a Grand Slam title.

www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/25/3121258.htm?site=sport§ion=tennis

[douglaslam]

My apologies, I seem to conveniently forget about Michael Chang. He won the French Open men's singles title back in 1989. He is of Chinese ancestry, both his parents are from Taiwan But he is American through and through. Let's see Li Na spring a surprise.

[douglaslam]

HOORAY!! Li Na has won her way to the final of the women's singles title of the Australian Open by defeating the world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki. There are many "firsts," to go with her victory. The first Chinese , male or female , and the first Asian female, on target for a Grand Slam title which is only one win away.

I watched the game at work, but was too nervous to watch the match through. I came back to watch the deciding third set. My workmates sided with me when I cheered her on. Apparently Li Na survived match point to snare victory. She won many friends with her good-humoured court side post match interview.

Onya girl, we are with you all the way from every corner of the globe. Let's give her a collective heave-ho and will her to victory on Saturday.

www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/27/3123318.htm?site=sport

au.sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news/article/-/8727405/chinas-li-upsets-wozniacki-to-reach-australian-open-final/

[douglaslam]

For those of you who are waking up now, the result of the women's Australian Open singles title has been decided . Kim Clijsters of Belgium prevailed, and won in three sets over Li Na.

Although it is not the result that we would like, Li Na did well to reach the final. The sporting world is taking notice of China's emergence on the world stage in professional tennis. Li Na will inspire others to follow her footsteps.

Well done Li Na.

[douglaslam]

I have been loosely tracking the rise and rise of Li Na. She was runner-up in the women's singles title in the Australian Open in January, and now, she is in the final of the French Open. Li Na is continuing her ground-breaking way in top level tennis. She is the first Asian and first Chinese woman to reach a tennis grand slam final. Whatever the outcome, Li Na's place in sporting history is assured.

I'll wait with bated breath when she takes on the defending champion on Saturday. I hope the French Open proved successful for Li Na just as it did for Michael Chang in 1989. Let's all will her on.

[lachinatown]

Li Na wins French Open, 1st major for Chinese

sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news?slug=ap-frenchopen

[douglaslam]

I woke up this morning ( Sunday, 5th June our time ) eagerly listening to the news bulletin for the French Open women's singles title result. It did not disappoint. Li Na is the winner. It comes as a relief more than elation. At last, Li Na has broken through for a historic win in a prestigious sporting event.

news.xinhuanet.com/sports/2011-06/03/c_121486880.htm
www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/news.htm?hightlight&20110604&56&760079

Chinese media across the world, dutifully and enthusiastically reported the win. It is a long time coming. It was back in 1980 LA Olympic Games that China won its first gold medal. And only as recently as 2002 that the first Chinese won a Winter Olympics gold.

Li Na seems to be a very down to earth person. I find her endearing, amongst other things, is that she does not make the ghastly grunting noise like Monica Seles, the Williams sisters, or the Russian girls.

Tennis is still an elite sport in China. In my travels in China, I can honestly say I have never spotted a tennis court. Unlike my hometown Sydney, tennis courts and golf courses are everywhere, very accessible and affordable. My workmates organise a three or four day away-from-home golf tournament each year. We are only blue collar workers. Just you try to do that in any of the Asian countries.

Then there is Yani Tseng from Taiwan. She is the world's No.1 female golfer and a women's majors winner. It is equally lucrative but somewhat less well known than the tennis majors. Her coverage by the media is scant at best.

Now, it is over to the men for a breakthrough. I am not holding my breath because it is not going to happen any time soon.

[douglaslam]

www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-24/grandstand-live3a-australian-open-day-11/4481886?section=sport

For all you tennis fans, Li Na has done it again. She has reached the final of the Women's Australian Open final. Let's hope she can go on with the job and win her second Grand Slam title. Scroll down the page and you'll get to see her.