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Olympic veteran Zhang Xiuyun secured a bronze medal in women's single sculls on her swansong match at the 12th Chinese National Games here on September 2.
Zhang, representing Henan, fell behind all the way to finish third in 7 minutes and 35.82 seconds. Fujian's Duan Jingli won gold medal in 7:27.13, only 0.03 seconds ahead of second placed Tang Bin of Liaoning, who was a champion member of women's quadruples in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The 37-year-old Zhang started her National Games tourney ever since 1993 when she won gold medal in women's single sculls. Then she went on to crown in women's single sculls in the editions of 1997, 2001, 2009. In 2001, she also added a double sculls gold into her credit.
"Maybe due to my injuries and age, I didn't play my best form today. This is my last tournament. Afterwards, I will call it quit," said Zhang. "But I am happy that some youngsters have emerged."
Zhang hugged Tang Bin and Duan Jingli, and congratulated them on their good results.
Zhang once won a silver in women's double sculls at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a fourth place in women's single sculls at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which is the best ever result of single sculls in China's Olympic history.
Zhang retired after China's National Games in 2009. But she returned one year later in the hope of making the podium in London. However, she finished with a sixth place.
"Looking back on the past 25 years, most are sweet memories. If I can choose again, I will still choose rowing as my career," Zhang said firmly. "Now I will enjoy my family life with my daughter and husband. I owed too much to them. As for my future, I am not certain yet. But it might be associated with rowing."
Eight finals took place on Monday. Shandong and Guangdong each took two gold medals. Shandong lifted the titles in men's four and women's double sculls while Guangdong crowned in men's pair and men's double sculls.
Jiangxi's Olympic runner-ups in 2008 Games Wu You/Gao Yulan took the gold medal in women's pair.
"This is a best ending for us," said Wu. "Now we can finish our rowing career."
Hunan's Zhang Liang defended the title in men's single sculls. Hosts Liaoning finished first in women's lightweight quadruples.
(Souce: xinhuanet.com)
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