Gong Zhichao comes out of retirement?

[LazyBuddy]

I heard that Gong Zhichao plans to come out of her retirement. She would like to train in Hunan Providence team first, then, work her way back to Chinese national team. She would like to be a member to participate in 2004 Oly. game.

As a huge fan of GZC, I am very happy to know this. However, is that true? Or just some thoughts? I did not find another source to confirm this yet. Personally, I think she need a lot of training to get back in shape, due to her playing style.

Hope this is true, and that will such a good news to see a badminton legend to strom back on the court.

[kwun]

where did you hear that from? i saw nothing in chinabadminton.com

[LazyBuddy]

From a Chinese newspaper, World Journal, Monday 11/18, sports section, I believe.

[Qidong]

Great news. GZC is the only person who can beat Camilla Martin consistently.

[ronk]

Qidong wrote: Great news. GZC is the only person who can beat Camilla Martin consistently.

Poor poor Camilla. She has enough tough Chinese players as is and she sure would not like another player who can consistently beat her ;) .

[LazyBuddy]

Did someone else confirm this one yet???


I've been reading other newspaper these days, but seems can't get the 2nd source to confirm this news.

[kwun]

i haven't read it either. that's why i was a bit skeptical. if it is indeed true, the Chinese media will be all over it. and especially in chinabadminton.com.

it would be great news if it is true though. if you have read the Sudirman Cup analysis, one of China's weakness in the SC is the WS against Denmark/Camilla. Gong will fix that weakness easily.

[LazyBuddy]

Currently, Gong Zhichao is on a trip to HK. She's a representative for Hunan for the up coming All China game (or all city game???) which will be held in Hunan providence.

Maybe this will further delay her come back (if there's really a come back)?

[Cheung]

Originally posted by LazyBuddy
Currently, Gong Zhichao is on a trip to HK. She's a representative for Hunan for the up coming All China game (or all city game???) which will be held in Hunan providence.

Maybe this will further delay her come back (if there's really a come back)?

Can't be the All China games. That only happens every four years and the last time was last year.

[kwun]

waiting for Cheung to report any "GongZhiChao sightings"....

[Ricky]

I finally found a related news at http://www.tacocity.com.tw/abs1984/news021129.htm

[Cheung]

Ricky,

can you do a bit of translation? What does it say??

[Ricky]

I'm a technical guy and not good in language ... anyway, let's try my best :

"
[News from Beijing] The 23 years Olympic champion in women single, had become queen again in 9th China Sports ??? announced that he will quit the China national team after this event. After more than a year at 17-Nov-02, she said that she will consider again to represent China in 2004 Olympic.

"The primary reason to quit the China national team was due to my injury. After more than a year of rest, I've resumed training again in Wo Nan province and started with some recovery training.", said Gong. She did acknowledged that she had thought about representing China in 2004 Olympic, but the final decision has not made yet. "It all depends on how well I can recover". She explained, because badminton is a defensive sport and her play style relies heavily on physical fitness, since she had stopped for training for more than a year, her physical fitness has been dropped significantly, and this is the primary concern whether she will play again or not.

Gong mainly focused on healing her injuries on her neck and waist. While she still hasn't fully recovered yet, the situation is much better than a year ago now, therefore she has resumed training recently. She said that whether she will play again in Olypmic or not will be very depended on how well she will play in upcoming badminton league (she will represent Wo Nan province). If she can pick up the feel and fitness again as in the past, she will seriously consider to fight in Olympic in 2004.

"

Perhaps Adel or someone else can help to correct my mistakes ... :)

[Winex West Can]

Good job, Ricky.

Bad news for Camilla if that is the case.

[LazyBuddy]

Wow... Seems I was right...

Finally another source of confirmation.

:D

[LazyBuddy]

Seems that GZC has a contract with Victor now. She joined Sung Jun and Ge Fei, to have an unique model/series? to be name by her name (with autograph on the bag). Here is the link for pic:

http://www.bbesports.com/victor/images/ra_victor_Gongzhichao2000.jpg

http://www.bbesports.com/victor/images/ra_victor_Gongzhichao2000_bag.jpg

[TrunkZ69]

her racket looks nice... hahaha

[LazyBuddy]

Well, too bad. They did not post the spec of that racket in that website.