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China’s Jiang Ranxin (R) and Zhang Bowen celebrate after winning the 10m mixed team air pistol final in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, September 30, 2023. /CFP
China’s Jiang Ranxin (R) and Zhang Bowen celebrate after winning the 10m mixed team air pistol final in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, September 30, 2023. /CFP
China’s Jiang Ranxin and Zhang Bowen on Saturday outshone their Indian counterparts Sarabjot Singh and Thadigol Divya, securing the gold medal in the fiercely contested 10m mixed team air pistol final in Hangzhou during the Asian Games.
Despite the fervent backing of the home crowds, Jiang struggled to swiftly find her stride in Hangzhou. Her transition to peak performance has not been as seamless as anticipated. In Friday’s final of the women’s 10m air pistol event, the 23-year-old, who clinched the title just a month ago at the World Championships, could only manage a fifth-place finish.
“While competing, it wasn’t just a slight case of jitters that I experienced, but rather an overwhelming sense of nervousness,” said Jiang after the setback. “It highlights the fact that my training intensity may not be up to par in my day-to-day preparation.
“Whenever I find myself in a state of anxiety, it becomes quite difficult for me to perform at my usual level. Going forward, I recognize the need to dedicate more effort towards honing this particular aspect and addressing my shortcomings.”
China’s Jiang Ranxin during the 10m mixed team air pistol final in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, September 30, 2023. /CFP
China’s Jiang Ranxin during the 10m mixed team air pistol final in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, September 30, 2023. /CFP
In this latest foray into the mixed team event, Jiang finally managed to overcome her nerves and staged a thrilling comeback alongside her teammate Zhang.
Despite trailing significantly during the first five rounds against the Indian duo, Jiang and Zhang rallied in the latter stages, ultimately turning the tide and clinching the title with a 16-14 victory.
It is worth noting that during the Tokyo Olympics, Jiang and Pang Wei secured the gold medal in this very event. Now, her partner has changed to Zhang, but what has remained unchanged is Jiang’s unwavering poise in the finals and her ability to ultimately claim the coveted gold.
China’s Zhang Zhizhen reacts after winning a point during the tennis men’s singles final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, September 30, 2023. /CFP
China’s Zhang Zhizhen reacts after winning a point during the tennis men’s singles final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, September 30, 2023. /CFP
Later in the day, China’s Zhang Zhizhen further solidified his burgeoning reputation by seizing the title of the men’s tennis champion. With resolute prowess and resilience, he vanquished Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki in straight sets.
This momentous triumph not only crowned Zhang as the victor but also etched his name in history as the first male tennis singles winner at the Asian Games from the Chinese mainland in 29 years.
It caps a breakthrough season for Zhang, whose voyage has already been one filled with an awe-inspiring array of “firsts.” To begin, he carved his name in history as the very first men’s singles player from the Chinese mainland to seize victory at the prestigious French Open.
China’s Zhang Zhizhen signs an autograph ahead of the tennis men’s singles final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, September 30, 2023. /CFP
China’s Zhang Zhizhen signs an autograph ahead of the tennis men’s singles final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, September 30, 2023. /CFP
Not stopping there, he continued to etch his legacy by becoming the first male player from the Chinese mainland to earn a coveted spot in the main draw of Wimbledon during the Open era.
Breaking barriers further, he ascended to the ranks of the top 100, making him the pioneering male player from the Chinese mainland to achieve such a feat. Adding to his remarkable list of accomplishments, he blazed a trail by becoming the first representative from the Chinese mainland to reach the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event.
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