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| Chen Zhong, from China, displays
her gold medal after defeating Myriam Baverel, from France, in women's over 67kg
taekwondo at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, Sunday,
Aug 29, 2004. (AP) |
China's Chen Zhong delivered Chinese delegation a
perfect happy ending Sunday, winning its 32nd and final gold at the Athens
Games in defending her Olympic title in taekwondo
women's over 67kg class.
Chen, in Athens, repeated her feat of bringing one
more gold to the glory of the sports powerhouse on the final day
at Sydney 2000 when she made history by claiming the delegation's
first ever Olympic taekwondo gold.
In the women's final, the 21-year-old Chen beat Myriam Baverel of
France 12-5. Baverel, a 23-year-old German language teacher, finished
second in the middle weight 67-72kg at the World Championships 2003,
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
"I'm delighted to win this gold," an exciting Chen told reporters.
"I've invested much more effort into winning this consecutive title at
Olympics."
Chen was injured on foot in the third round of the final and tumbled on
the platform at one point.
"That (injury) didn't have much effects on
my performances," Chen said. "I held on to win the match."
In the final, Chen employed a tactic of striking later to expand her
winning turf, scoring two points in round one, four points in round two
and six in three.
She waved the Chinese national flag to the cheering
spectators in the Sports Pavilion, the Olympic competition venue, after
hugging her coach, Chen Liren, in exaltation
.
Earlier the day, Chen kept her winning run by defeating Silva of Brazil
8-5 in semifinal and Adriana Carmona of Venezuela 7-5 in quarterfinal.
During the semifinal, Chen, who earned her Olympic gold in the same
category in Sydney, fought a close round one but prevailed inround two and
three, scoring one points, four points and three points, respectively.
At one point in round three, the 30-year-old Silva struck Chen's head
and earned a much coveted two points. But Chen's later strong showing
proved that was only a temporary surprise.
In the quarterfinal, Chen kept a steady pace throughout the three
rounds and prevailed, scoring two points in round one, two points in round
two and four in three.
But she had one point deducted after receiving two kyong-gos (warning
penalties).
Chen defeated Yoriko Okamoto of Japan 7-5 to
progress into the quarterfinal earlier Sunday.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-08-30 14:00