The 6th Chinese City Games proved the suddenness of wrestling again. Medalists in World Junior Wrestling Championships and Wrestling World Cup all failed to take gold medals, and most even could not enter finals.
Li Songni, women's 55kg freestyle gold medalist at 2007 World Junior Wrestling Championships, lost in semifinal and also failed to get a bronze in the repechage. She refused to talk about this after the match.
Wang Feilong, national team wrestler who participated in the 2007 World Junior Wrestling Championships, was eliminated in the first round.
Host Wuhan's wrestler Zhang Fengliu, women's 63kg World Cup champion and silver medalist in 67kg at 2007 World Junior Championships, was defeated by Xi'an's Luo Ping in women's 67kg freestyle final.
Those world medalists had never thought of being challenged in the 6th Chinese City Games as male participants must be under the age of 20, and female under 18.
Officials in the Wrestling Department of General Administration of Sport of China were pleasantly surprised to find so many new rising stars.
Host wrestler Zheng Pan took first gold for Wuhan in Greco Roman 66kg. The national team wrestler cemented his leading position in Chinese young wrestlers of that class.
Silver medalist in men's 55kg freestyle Luo Meng was considered to be the key force in 2012 London Olympics.
"If Luo continues his upgrading, it is quite possible for him to win a medal in London, or even the title," said Dong Shenghui, director of the national Wrestling Organization.
Xu Li, 18, women's 55kg freestyle winner, is the most hopeful in the Chinese national team to win a ticket to Beijing Olympics.
"I got my first national title in 2006," said Xu. "And in last March, I won the World Cup. I'm looking forward to play against the most powerful wrestlers in the world."
Host Wuhan is the biggest winner in wrestling tournament at the City Games with five golds, followed by Hefei, Anhui Province, with three golds.
Source: Xinhua
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