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Strongwoman Tang takes up "mission impossible"
(Xinhuanet)
Updated: 2004-12-25 16:04
Olympic weightlifting champion Tang Gonghong proved the saying "nothing is
impossible" as she became a model for a Chinese portfolio company after coming
back from Athens Olympic Games.
Walking along with a male model on the stage, the 120 kilograms Tang looked
shy and stiff, but she insisted the experience would give her special memory as
sweet as the golden memory at the Athens Olympics.
Chinese Olympic champions were so busy attending all kinds of social
activities after they brought back home the glories of 32 gold medals from
Athens, and Tang choose to step onto the catwalk stage on a fashion show for
Zhonshan Crown Portfolio Company Ltd..
China's Tang
Gonghong performs a successful lift to set a new world Olympic record.
Tang was crowned the strongest woman in the world and has an Olympic gold
medal dangling from her massive neck as the ultimate accolade of her
astonishing power. [AFP/file] | "Being a
model was just like the 'mission impossible' for a superheavy weightlifter, but
now I can tell everybody that 'never say never'. I don't think it's a bad thing
for me and my team. I spent most of my time in training and knew little about
the outside world, so I'd like to experience other people's lives now." the
25-year-old Tang told the reporters after her fashion show.
Tang cleared a world record weight in the women's over 75kg category in
Athens to present China with their fifth weightlifting gold of the Games to
equal their tally at the 2000 Sydney Games, hoisting the 100th gold medal of the
nation's delegation at all Olympics since 1984.
In a dramatic finale to a gripping contest, Tang raised 10kg more than anyone
else and lifted a new world record weight in the clean and jerk to edge South
Korean Jan Mi-Ran who seemed to have sewn up victory. Millions of Chinese people
watched her unbelievable performance on TV and were impressed by Tang's power
and backbone.
However, Tang was warned by her doctor when she was back in Beijing that the
high blood pressure, which troubled her in Athens, might end her weightlifting
career.
"I felt light-headed in Athens and the doctor advised I should have a good
rest after the Games, so I returned to my hometown in Shandong province and
turned down most of the invitation for social activities except this one," Tang
said.
During her stay in Shandong, Weihai Sports Base, where Tang began her
weightlifting career when she was a little girl, invitedher to work as coach and
Tang said yes without any hesitation.
"I want to express my gratitude to my hometown especially Weihai Sports Base,
so I would like to coach young girls and help them to fulfill their golden
dreams just like what my coach did tome ."
"When the portfolio company asked me to be their model, I thought I could use
their payment doing something for the sports base." she added.
Born in a farmer's family in Shandong province, Tang was enrolled in the
provincial weightlifting team in 1996. She launched her career in style as she
won overall gold medal in 1998world championships. Though she failed to make the
Chinese strongwomen's squad at the Sydney Games, she had the Athens Olympics in
sight.
"The coaching work is just a part-time job, and it doesn't meanI am
considering the retirement. On the contrary, I am going to store up energy and
win my second gold medal in 2008 Beijing Olympics. It will be an exceedingly
cherished and unforgettable honour."
"Everything is going on quite well about my physical condition.I will never
leave weightlifting, which is my real showing stage,"she said.
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