Zhong’s gold sets China on Rio title hunt
Print Edition
A FEW days after breaking his hand in rage when China was denied gold on a technicality, coach Benoit Vetu was raising it in triumph after Zhong Tianshi became the first Chinese rider to be crowned world sprint champion on Sunday.
Zhong powered to victory in an all-Chinese final against Lin Junhong at the London velodrome on what could be a landmark afternoon for the sport’s speed queens.
The 25-year-old had impressively disposed of twice world champion Kristina Vogel in the semifinals, while Lin had beaten veteran Olympic champion Anna Meares of Australia.
Vetu was able to sit back and enjoy the final, knowing one of his team was about to make history. “I feel very proud of them. This is perfect. Five months before the Olympics to have two in the final is great for the confidence, it could not be much better.”
Former world medalist Vetu of France was hired by the Chinese specifically to win the team sprint in Rio.
That was why he was so enraged by what happened in the team sprint final in London last week, when reigning world champions Gong Jinjie and Zhong were relegated to silver because of an illegal change after beating Russia in the final. On hearing the judges’ decision, Vetu slammed his hand against a hoarding and broke a bone.
Yesterday his plaster cast was signed by Zhong, who he says is a sprinter “like no other I have seen”.
“She is amazing physiologically,” he said. “I’ve never really come across a rider like her, the strength and power and now she is not afraid to win.”
The target in Rio, he said, was still a first cycling gold for China, but after their performances in London they will no longer be surprise packages.
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