Zhang Ning at an Event

[Devilicious]

Mmmm... people mentionned 14 years old a few times. Wasn't Audina 15 as I wrote in the post?

[Devilicious]

OMG translating this is so long. More to come later on.

[continued from part one]
In the second set, ZN played unexpectedly well and produced a small miracle.

ZN –In the second set, I kept playing. I surprisingly won the set when the opponent was leading 10-6. Later, people told me that they never thought I’d be able to get a comeback. They were convinced that my winning the second set will assure a victory in the third.

As the second set ends, Zhang Ning’s coaches and team mates are full of hope, whereas Zhang Ning felt no confidence at all.

ZN –After 1-1, we entered the rest room to hear the coach’s comments. I guess at that time, even if I were sober, I wouldn’t have been able to listen to what coach said. Besides, the atmosphere was so stressful that I couldn’t pay attention to the advices. So in the end, as I step on court, I lost in the third set anyway.

Because of her own mistakes, ZN made the Chinese team lose the precious Uber Cup. For this, ZN reproaches herself.

ZN –I was unable to sleep that night. Lying on the bed, I kept thinking ‘Why did I lose today’s competition?’ At that time, all I could do is continuously reflect on the day’s match. I just couldn’t sleep. I think I slept at most two hours that night. I was lying on the bed and knew it was really late. I forced myself to stop thinking. Lost is lost, you can’t change reality. Yet I could only think of my defeat. I simply couldn’t fall asleep.

After the Uber Cup finals, Audina became famous and is being referred to the genius teen. As for Zhang Ning, her self-esteem has been totally blown into smitherness. In the following nine years, she has been unable to erase this nightmare-like memory. At that time, she was young and fit. What was normally supposed to be an athlete’s peek was, for ZN, a downcast.

ZN –I myself thought that I’m the sinner for losing the last WS. The pressure was way too big, especially after we return (to China). When I see people, including ones in the team, I didn’t dare to look at them. I was very afraid.

LYB –If Zhang Ning won that game, her fame and success in badminton probably would’ve arrived long ago. Her defeat silenced her for many years. It followed her like a dark shadow.

For ZN, the hardest time was the Sydney Olympics’ eve. By then, she was already 25 and has been on the national squad for almost ten years. This years’ Olympics will probably the last one in her whole career. Yet, just like 1996’s Olympics, she wasn’t on the Chinese team’s list.

ZN –At that time, I was already way older than them (her team mates). I felt that I was often only there to keep them company at practices. With Ye Zhaoyin, I still found it normal, but when training with the other two Dai Yun and Gong Zhichao, I really didn’t feel good: they are younger and can go to the Olympics whereas I have to help them prepare. I felt quite uncomfortable. For a certain period, I was in no mood for practices. Sometimes when accompanying them or practicing with them, I didn’t even feel like to play. I was unable to be in the mood. I didn’t want to train with them on the same court; I couldn’t even bare the sight of a shuttlecock. After all these years, having played in several UC without much result and missing twice the Olympics, I felt that the daily training became merely a kind of perfunctory task. It’s like coming to practices to play with them a little. But I find this idea quite selfish.

After the 2000 Sydney Olympics, athletes of ZN’s age and even younger ones have all retired. ZN also thought about giving up. In her 15 years of badminton career, she has never won a world champion title. For this, she will not take it, but decides to follow fate.

ZN –After the 2000 Olympics, because many people like Ye Zhaoyin all thought about quitting, I thought ‘It should be the time for me too’. Maybe the results in my badminton career will only be like this. Sometimes, I find that, for myself, I gave a lot, but the key is I still haven’t incarnated into a badminton player’s role. I kept thinking ‘I work very hard, why aren’t the results reflecting my efforts?’ Maybe what I give and what I receive can only be like this; maybe fate decided I won’t get more first places. After playing that year’s national competition (Quan Yun Hui), I told coach LYB that I didn’t want to play anymore.

LYB –I believe her mentality at that time is the traditional Chinese female athletes’. They all think that attaining the age of 26 or 27 is the moment to put an end to their career. But I know ZN better. Her mental is very strong and she’s really fit. Comparing to people of her age, her body fitness level is higher: her muscle type and energy is younger and stronger. Second of all is her psychological aspect. It had always been very simple, not as mature as people of her age. She doesn’t think as much and has a more innocent mind. This is why I think her athletic career should be very long. Therefore, from these two sides, I told her ‘you are equipped with all the capacity to win a world number one title. Athletes with conditions like you are scarce. Wouldn’t your giving up be a pity?’

[Cheung]

Wow, this is really interesting. Thanks...

LYB = Mr Motivator.

Just dying to read the rest of the interview...aargh

[weeyet]

i love this thread

[Quasimodo]

Mmmm... people mentionned 14 years old a few times. Wasn't Audina 15 as I wrote in the post?

Well, according to this:

http://www.worldbadminton.net/Portal...p?pnumber=4327

her birthdate is August 22nd, 1979. I think the UC was held in the first half of the year, so Mia wasn't quite 15, yet.

[viver]

Well, according to this:

http://www.worldbadminton.net/Portal...p?pnumber=4327

her birthdate is August 22nd, 1979. I think the UC was held in the first half of the year, so Mia wasn't quite 15, yet.

Yes, the Uber Cup finals was played in May that year, so Mia was still 14.

[DaN_fAn]

Wow!I never knew she had to struggle that much.
Gr8 suspense ,i am waiting for the rest

[Devilicious]

LYB coach’s insistence for ZN to stay gave her discouraged soul a hint of hope. Only then did the shadow that stayed with her for seven years start to fade.


ZN –If coach believes in you, why wouldn’t you trust yourself? After our conversation, I think I still have the capacity to train. Afterwards, my entire mentality in all other competitions took a sudden change. I was thinking ‘I’m at an age for retirement anyway, and many think my level is about to be this. I’ll just try my best. Even if I really end up with a cramp on court, I won’t be afraid even if I lose, because I gave all I have.

LYB –I think that from the end of 2002 and the beginning of 2003, ZN went up a big step. She had very deep knowledge in her comprehension for badminton and her control of area on court. When already being an excellent WS player and gaining yet a higher level on that basis, she has stepped on the world champion’s position. When equipped with this ability level and understanding, she is able to use the experience from all past years to give the rein to the max.

Starting from 2003, ZN’s athletic career began to take a turn. In this year’s World Cup, she won against her world ranked #1 team mate Gong Ruina, stepping on the world champ’s podium for the first time, using her 18 years of perseverance to create her own success.

ZN –Because for the whole time, I had the capacity. I think my condition is still quite good. Having the ability, I believe I’m only missing knowledge in badminton. Now, when I play, I sometimes find it pretty fun. So it’s totally different from the type of competitive play I was used to. Instead of wanting to win right away, like the way I was before, I can now play patiently with you. I can have fun using my ability to make you run all over the court and still win in the end. This state of mind is completely different from what I had before. In the old days, I keep thinking ‘I want to beet you in a few strokes, this is my style’. Now, it has changed. Everyone is very strong; we’re only looking at who can hit the shuttle the most times, who can stand it. I don’t fear you, because I have stamina, you must then be weaker. This is the feeling I have on court. So slowly, slowly, I enhanced my confidence and my mental.


2004-08-19 Olympics, Athens
ZN and her old rival Audina once again stepped on the decisive WS final match. In this competitive event of the highest level, ZN wants to return the ten years’ shadow, the ten years’ pain she experienced to her opponent; to put a happy ending to this long last grievance. On the other hand, Audina is also very eager about this match. The following day will be her 25th birthday. She hopes this gold medal can become her most precious gift. She has just won against China’s #1 seed Gong Ruina in semi-finals and is therefore very confident in today’s game. In the beginning of the match, she performed exceptionally well, her skills showing her up completely.

ZN –Her footwork on court appeared like she won’t be running all long. Instead, she would control you. She had all-around skills. She would often force you to feel that you can only place the shuttlecock there. So after she hits, she would know that you can only hit there. I believe her anticipation is very good.

ZN lost in the first game 11-8. After a few minutes of rest, the 2nd game begins.

ZN –I didn’t think too much about winning or losing. Really. I didn’t think about what will happen if I win or lose the tournament. I simply concentrated on the game’s every point.

After ZN’s 11-6 victory in the 2nd set, just like ten years ago, ZN and Audina are once again tied at 1-1. The third part of the competition will resume in five minutes. No one can predict the result. Will history replay today?

[Coaching between 2nd and 3rd sets.]
ZN: “Actually, I didn’t really list to anywhere in the end. I just lifted, that’s it.”

LYB: “Yes, yes, that’s right, that’s correct. Just put the shuttle in and it’s ok. Also, don’t lift to the sides, no use. Because your lifting to the sides has no danger for her. Lift to the middle and you have no worry, understand?*ZN nods* It’s like, when you’re uncomfortable, hurry to hit it up high. Hit it high and you’re ok. Don’t press it down awkwardly, you do that, she drives and it’s bad for you.”
[End of coaching]


ZN –Because her height and endurance are probably weaker than me. So you have to make her run a lot of distance.

[The screen shows the 3rd set, we hear ZN’s comments.] Commentator: the game is very tight. The score’s tied many times.

ZN –Don’t think we’re really tight. Already, she doesn’t have any strength left. This way, it adds confidence in me. The coach also told me to make her run, to control her baselines, so she wastes her energy more quickly. (It’s match point for ZN) I told myself to be patient, do not urge to get the last point. Like, if I can kill you, then I win. No. I didn’t think of that. I thought I’d use my patience to control her. [ZN wins match point with a net kill] Actually, the last rally didn’t last too many strokes. My mind was still very clear. When she smashed, I played a cross-court lift. Her running from her forehand rear court to her backhand front court is a big distance. I smashed, then dropped at her backhand front court. Then, I just knew she would drop there again and was ready for it. So I clearly knew in my mind that I’m to kill it. After the net kill, the feeling was just… too happy.

LYB –ZN’s gold medal’s meaning is, well, it’s for her, the 1st one. It arrived in the past few days when China’s badminton team was facing the biggest obstacles, including when others thought our team wasn’t going to achieve our goal. ZN’s gold medal calmed the whole team. She made the entire group feel that we’re still very strong; she gave us confidence. And this confidence gave the Chinese team’s other members confidence; it also gave hope to the other coaches. So her winning foreshadows our team still has what it takes to complete our gold medal conquest mission. So Zhang Jun and Gaoling, in such a difficult situation, still won XD, plus the WD’s winning, I believe, ZN’s medal’s meaning, if we analyze it carefully, I think it’s very high. (Sorry for the big twist, I had no idea how to rephrase this confusing sentence LYB just said.) It’s a gold medal that’s worth to ponder over.

2004-10-08 ZN and Yu Yang celebrated their marriage, fulfilling her biggest dream as a woman. Yu Yang is the national team’s MD coach, was ZN’s provincial team mate. Later, they both entered the national team. In her long athletic journey, in her most difficult moments, Yu Yang’s company and encouragement gave her the courage to continue. The Olympic medal is the best present she can give to her lover. For Yu Yang, ZN’s being an Olympic champ or not isn’t important. What he fell for is ZN’s character. After their wedding, ZN and YY still live alone in their own dorm. ZN doesn’t want to quit right away. She wants to persue her career until the day she can’t play. In ZN’s 20 years of career, she demonstrated sportsmanship that everyone praised: do not fear defeat and persevere to the end.

The End

** So touched... I persevered and am finally DONE!!! Too bad this isn't also a sign of sportsmanship.

[wood_22_chuck]

Excellent effort, Devilicious! Thanks for sharing. That was great

-dave

[Cheung]

Amazing, amazing. That's really great of you....[applause]

I wonder why they put so little emphasis on the 2003 World Championships. I have to check again but didn't Zhang Ning also play Mia AUdina then? And Zhang Ning's performance in the World Championships was simply incredible. Simply the best performance I have seen. Probably better than teh Olympics performance.

[viver]

Devilicious, thank you for your time and effort for translating this excellent article. In my opinion, this article is also very good for us to learn how to play badminton better - maybe the keywords here are confidence and determination.

[Loh]

Yes, the Uber Cup finals was played in May that year, so Mia was still 14.

Since the interview was in Chinese (Mandarin) could it be that the Chinese way of dating age is a year older? Although Mia was acutally 14 by English standards, in Chinese she was 15!

[Loh]

Hey guys!!!!!
I found out I gradually fall in love with this girl.

I'm afraid we all lost out to the guy whom she ultimately married!

[DaN_fAn]

Excellent effort, Devilicious! Thanks for sharing. That was great

-dave

Agreed.
BTW,This story on her life can make a great documentary.

[Devilicious]

Although the translation of a 40 minutes show took a few hours, if I think of it now, I find it was kind of worth it. I guess it made me realize many things... Like only now do I see that I too, tend to focus a lot on the game's results, which makes it hard to relax when playing. I guess the desire to win dominates one too easily. I'm glad that ZN pointed that out so it doesn't take me twenty years to figure that out on my own.

Btw, the sources: cctv-4's Winner's Circle.