Old' Zhang Conjures Miracle Gold

By Author: pangsiyan
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China's Zhang Ning described winning an Olympic gold medal at the age of 29 as a

miracle.

The oldest player in China's badminton team, she produced a rousing3 come-back to

defeat fourth seed4 Mia Audina of Holland5 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 yester-day.

China later won the mixed doubles, with Zhang Jun and Gao Ling edging the British

pair of Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms6 15-1, 12-15, 15-12.

' It's a miracle to win at the age of 29,' said Zhang, who was appearing in her

first Olympics.

' I didn't do so well in the first game as I was too defensive, but I persevered

and came through7.'

Zhang, who hurled her racket high into the air as she won the first gold medal of

the badminton tournament, burst into tears and raced around the court to fling

herself into the arms of her jubilant8 coach, said taking the gold was just reward

for her efforts in the last few years.

' I have improved my tactics mentally, I am better prepared,' she said. ' I think I

am more mature and I' ve been playing better and better.'

The gold was ...
... also a much-needed boost for the team after China failed to get a

single player, including world No 1 and top seed Lin Dan, through to the men's

singles semi-finals9.

Asked if she felt more pressure to succeed after those disappointing performances,

she replied; ' Not really, if anything I was putting pressure on my-self. '

Audina, who played for Indonesia before marrying a Dutch gospel singer10 and moving

to Europe, first encountered Zhang in the Uber Cup" final 10 years ago, at the age

of 14. Then she beat the Chinese to help her country clinch the Uber Cup.

This time though, Audina was unable to better the silver medal she won at the 1996

Atlanta Games to become the youngest medallist in the sport.

' We' ve known each other for a long time and I don't think there is much to

choose between us, but today she played better than me and deserved to win, ' said

the 24-year-old. ' Besides, she won' t have another chance in four years' time, but

I will. '

Audina thrilled the crowd at the Goudi Olympic Hall with a series of smashes and

dropshots that had Zhang scurrying all over the court12. The stocky Dutchwoman

raced to a 7-1 lead.

At that stage, Zhang stopped making unforced errors and missing easy shots. Within

minutes, she leveled the score at 7-7.

A disputed line-call13 gave Audina the momentum again as she took a 10-6 lead. On

game point, Zhang smashed into the net. Audina bent over and clenched her fists.

About 200 Dutch fans in the hall kept shouting ' Mia, Mia, Mia. '

But Audina played two matches on Wednesday, her semi-final and a women's doubles

semi-final, and it showed in a sluggish14 second game.

Zhang's smashes helped her to a 7-4 lead and she held the upper hand for the rest

of the game, taking it 1 1 -6.

She quickly went into a 3-0 lead in the decider before Audina, cheered on by the

Dutch crowd, clawed back to 3-3. Two unforced errors on smashes gave the initiative

to Zhang for good. She raced to an 8-5 lead as Audina sent her shots wide.

Zhang earned her first match-point with a great cross-court drop shot that saw the

shuttle land just in. On her third match-point, she finished Audina off15 with an

easy smash at the net.

Chinese third seed Zhou Mi took the bronze after beating compatriot and top seed

Gong Ruina earlier in the day.