Top News

Veteran Wang still hopeful about Olympic prospects

By Tang Yue (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-14 07:29

Wang Zhizhi conducts interviews at the 2011 China Sport Show in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Friday. Provided to China Daily

CHENGDU, Sichuan province - Fifteen years ago, teenager Wang Zhizhi made his Olympic debut in Atlanta and helped China to its record eighth-place finish.

The team has since failed to go deeper, but Wang, now 33, is looking forward to leading China, hopefully, to a breakthrough performance in his last Olympics in London next year.

"Now my main goal is to surpass the eighth place," said Wang, who competed at the 1996, 2000 and 2008 Games. "We had several chances before but we just let them go. I hope this time we can make it.

"We have made progress in the past decade due to a series of reforms, but we need a resounding breakthrough on the world stage as evidence of that improvement," said Wang at the 2011 China Sport Show, which is being held from Friday to Monday in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

A member of the national team since 1996, Wang has led the squad to many glorious moments, culminating with last year's Asian Games in Guangzhou, where all his teammates bowed before him during the medal ceremony after defeating South Korea in the final.

"It was for sure my last Asian Games and it was a great memory thanks to my national teammates," said the center who was also the first Chinese player to play in NBA. Wang played with the the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat from 2001-05.

"There are not many years of playing ahead of me, but I will try keep fit and competitive enough on the court. I will stand tall to the last minute and I hope I can make good contributions", said Wang, who plays with the Bayi Rockets in the domestic league.

As for national duties, the first challenge is September's Asian Championships from which only the winner will earn a berth at the London Games.

However, the veteran will skip the team's training sessions, which is ongoing, as well the first few warm-ups, to give an injured knee time to heal.

He said he has started yoga as part of the rehabilitation process.

"I find yoga to be fun and it is very helpful in improving my flexibility. I'm over 30 now and I really need this kind of exercise instead of intensive training. It keeps me fit and relaxed."

China Daily

(China Daily 05/14/2011 page16)