Source: CCTV.com

02-09-2008 17:56

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Reigning Olympic champion Zhang Guozheng is hoping to win gold once again at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Despite being 34 years old and often struggling to get down to his competition weight, the veteran is ready to face the next chapter of his sporting career with just half a year until he attempts to defend his title.

"Zhang Guozheng, 2004 Olympic Weightlifting Champion in the 69 kg category."

Zhang Guozheng won 2004 Olympic Weightlifting gold in the 69 kg category

(Footage of Zhang Guozheng calling his wife)

"My dear wife, are you happy? You're happy, right? I love you so much!"

Reigning Olympic champion, Zhang Guozheng, was born in Fujian province 34 years ago.

But it was further west in Yunnan province team where he registered as a weightlifter, up until January last year when he switched to Shanxi province. Although athletes in China often transfer between provinces, the Yunnan team put up a fight to keep their Olympic champion and Zhang Guozheng was involved in a tug-of-war between the two. In the end, Zhang got his wish and joined Shanxi.

Zhang said "For me, honesty is the most important quality for everyone, no matter what kind of thing he or she does. So I won't talk or do anything that will hurt others. But really, as the State General Administration of Sports said, everything I did was fair, reasonable and legal."

At 34 years of age, he's already passed the peak of his career. But Zhang Guozheng is still a highly-valued member of the national team. And he's desperate to show that he still deserves his place.

A year after his Olympic triumph, he didn't do very well at the 2005 National Games, fouling out with a fault. He bounced back with gold at the 2006 Asian Games but his relatively light lift of 336 kg meant his victory was more down to the failings of others. And in 2007, he was ruled out of competition for long stretches with a lower back injury.

There was also a group of younger Chinese lifters closing the gap and putting Zhang under even more pressure. So he had a lot to prove when he turned up to the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships in Chiangmai, Thailand.

Zhang said "These Championships mean a lot to me. I didn't participate in the World Championships for two years. Many people are watching me and my performance, including my supporters, fans of my opponents and neutral observers."