Zhu carries on China's dark horse story
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-08-16 23:24

In Sydney, Cai Yalin came from nowhere to win the Olympic men's 10m air rifle gold. Four years later, his compatriot Zhu Qinan continued Chinese dark horse story in Athens.

Chinese Olympic marksman Zhu Qinan celebrates during the medal ceremony for the men's 10-metre air rifle in Athens, August 16, 2004. [Reuters]

The 20-year-old Zhu, who is competing in his first Olympic Games, shocked the world on Monday as he grabbed the men's 10m air rifle with a world record.

"I didn't know I broke the world record until you told me of it, " Zhu told Xinhua in the mixed zone at the Markopoulo shooting center.

Zhu, who led the qualification round with 599 points, shot 103. 7 in the 10-shot final to amass 702.7 points, surpassing the previous best of 702.5 set by Jason Parker of the United States in June last year.

"I'm very pleased with the result and I shot to my normal form, " he said.

Zhu became the second Olympic champion after Cai coached by Chang Yuchun.

When asked what are the secrets behind his success in grooming Olympic champions, Chang shrugged and said, "Hard training makes perfect."

Zhu, who was born in east China's Zhejiang province in 1984, took up shooting at the age of 13 and was selected into the national team in 2003. He then made rapid progress and won the men's 10m air rifle at the Asian shooting championships and a World Cup race this year.

But the inexperienced shooter displayed fluctuant form at the following World Cup race in Athens where he only finished a distant 17th.

"I often scold him because he is too young to control his nerves in training," said Chang.

With an eye on the gold medal, Zhu said he was well prepared for Sunday's competition.

"Last night I thought about all the difficulties I might encounter today," Zhu told the press conference after the final.

"I tried to stay cool in the competition. My efforts paid off," he added.

As shooting is a sport that receives little publicity in China outside the Olympics, Zhu is unknown to most fellow countrymen even after his inclusion into the Chinese roster for the Athens Games.

"Less spotlight brings less pressure. I think I've fully made advantage of it," said Zhu.

Like many of his peers, Zhu is fond of nothing other than playing computer games.

"Daily training is pretty boring. Playing computer games is a good way to relax," he said.