Chinese wrestler Chang Yongxiang won his nation the first men's wrestling Olympic silver Wednesday afternoon while his rival made the first gold for Georgia at the Beijing Olympics.
Despite the loss to Manuchar Kvirkelia in the 74kg Greco-Roman competition, Chang, not at all a favorite before the Olympics, has been making feats since his first round when he defeated world champion Yavor Yanakiev of Bulgaria.
The 23-year-old Chinese lost a landslide fight (0-6, 0-3) against the experienced Georgian who finished the third at the world championships in 2006.
Many Georgians were in the venue cheering for their Olympians. Kvirkelia, who ecstatically ran with the national flag after the victory, got deafening hail from their country people.
Chang said, "I was so upset not to win China a gold although this is the best result for Chinese wrestlers in the Olympics."
"He (Kvirkelia) was obviously stronger," Chang said. After Chang's securing a final berth this morning, his coach helped him prepare a lot in a bid to get the gold.
Yanakiev and Christophe Guenot, whose younger brother, Steeve Guenot, took home France's first gold in the Olympics, got the bronze medals. Guenot's family were in the venue to witness the success of both brothers.
"There is no secret. Our father taught us the value of hard work," Christophe Guenot said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008)