QIQIHAR, Northeast China -- Wang Meng and Li Ye, the hopeful winners of all short-track events, got injuried unexpectedly and failed to achieve a full success at the 11th National Winter Games.
Teammates hlep Wang Meng mount the podium after the Turin Olympic medalist claimed the women's 3000m short track at China's National Winter Games in Qiqihar of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 27, 2008. [Xinhua] |
Both Wang and Li swept all golds during the first three days of the four-day competition.
After claiming two golds at the women's 1,000m and 3,000m short-track speed skating, Turin Olympic medalist Wang Meng took part in the women's 3,000 meters relay tonight. But unfortunately, she fell down and got herself injured.
She said she would go to hospital to have a check, and then she did not make any more remarks at the press conference held after the events.
Li Ye, men's 500m and 1,500m short track bronze medalist at the 6th Asiad, fell over with only one lap to go in the men's 1,000m event, which became his only regret at the Winter Games. Li then won two gold medals of the men's 3,000m and 5,000 meters relay, and became the all-round winner of the short track events.
Li said that his injury was not serious. "It has something to do with the skating skills and the physical condition. I had played for three consecutive days, so my physical condition was getting worse. Moreover, I did not perform well at that juncuture, so I fell over."
"Actually I am satisfied with my performances today," said Li, "but due to the regret in the men's 1,000m event, I didn't mark a full stop for my winter games."
"I hope I can be more sucessful in the next winter games," said Li.
The men's 1,000m gold medalist Sui Baoku said he was happy to pocket the gold. "I did not perform well in the first three days and I'm satisfied with my performance today," he said.
"The whole level of the short track events has improved at the winter games. Besides the veterans who showed their strong power at the games, some brilliant young skaters have emerged and become the fresh force to the short track," said Tong Lixin, director of the competetion committee.
Tong quite appreciated Wang and Li. "They are really excellent. Short track events need such players, and the more, the better."
The short track speed skating kicked off on Thursady and concluded on Sunday.
