The Paper's reporter Chen Jun
Zhang Weili and the current champion espazar in the grassweight class are determined to compete in New York's Madison Garden Square on November 13, which is undoubtedly the most eye-catching thing in China's fighting circle today.
At the moment, the surging news reporter interviewed Zhang Weili to understand her physical and psychological preparations before the big war. For this event that has been scheduled after all kinds of twists and turns, Zhang Weili is still firm in her heart.
Now she has become more mature: "Before, there were too many internal interferences, the thought of so many people paying attention to me, the pressure was very high, if I lost, someone on the Internet would attack me, and now I left these behind and only focused on training and competition." ”
Zhang Weili trained and prepared for battle.
Match scheduling process "good things and more grinding"
"I feel like time is passing quite quickly, recently I have been preparing for the battle in Thailand, strengthening my technical and tactical and strength training, and next month I will go to the United States 6 to 7 weeks before the game to adapt to the local environment and jet lag."
Zhang Weili on the other end of the phone seemed calmer, but this game was somewhat "good things and more grinding".
In fact, after Zhang Weili defeated Joanna on June 12, a decisive battle between her and Espazar was inevitable, but the opponent avoided the battle on the grounds of healing and was reluctant to go to the Middle East (October 20).
It wasn't until a few days ago that the game was just finalized, and Espazar won enough time to adjust and moved the game to his home stadium, Madison Garden Square in New York, USA.
In this regard, Zhang Weili admitted that she was once anxious, but quickly calmed down: "During this time, I just strengthened my shortcomings, anyway, the game is always going to be played, all I need is to do my best and wait for a date." ”
From the success of the challenge, to the defending gold belt, to the loss of the golden belt, in recent years, Zhang Weili has experienced too much, and when she returns as a challenger again, Zhang Weili is obviously more mature than her past self.
Zhang Weili is preparing for the upcoming competition.
In the women's grassweight, Zhang Weili has played against Andrade, Joanna and Rose, Espaza is the only champion she has not played against, for this game, Zhang Weili is naturally full of expectations, but not just for the goal of competing for the gold belt.
"(Espaza) She's the first champion in the grass class, won the gold belt in 14 years, and is back to the top after 8 years, which is a very respectable opponent and an inspiration for me personally."
"Her technical characteristics are very distinct, wrestling and ground fighting are very good, I have not met such a top wrestler before, for myself, this experience will also be an improvement, I will strengthen my wrestling and ground skills, more breakthrough myself."
Victory or defeat is no longer her "shackles"
Now that you communicate with Zhang Weili, you can obviously feel her mood change. According to her own words: in the past, she was too concerned about winning or losing, and now she is more inclined to be herself.
"Winning or losing in the past has always been a knot that bothers me and affects me, but when you are afraid of losing, you don't dare to fight, and you are afraid of your hands and feet." She told the surging news reporter.
"I remember the last time I fought against Rose in New York, I didn't dare to attack inside, I wanted to win too much, I was afraid of mistakes, and I was very angry when I watched the game video."
"This year I gradually adjusted myself and told myself: 'The only thing you can control is yourself, and the biggest opponent is also yourself, if you lose, you must be lazy, or what aspect is not good.'" ”
On June 12, Zhang Weili defeated Joanna.
Under the guidance of such a mentality, Zhang Weili believes that she will become more powerful: "Before, there were too many inner interferences, and the thought of so many people paying attention to me was very stressful, if I lost, someone on the Internet would attack me, and now I have left these behind and only focused on training and competition." ”
"In this way, I am more focused, and I will only think about how to improve if I am not strong enough? Wrestling is still lacking, how to change? After I solved these problems, the opponent was just a test of my ability. ”
As Zhang Weili said, in these months in Thailand, she only has three things to eat, sleep and train every day, and she admits that her life is very simple, and all her efforts are to prove herself on the field.
"The last time I played in New York, I changed the team before the game, the run-in was not enough, there were some problems with weight reduction, and some bad experiences on the road, this time I will not let these problems affect me."
"I'm going to be in Madison in really good shape, I can't control winning or losing, but I can control myself, let go of myself and just do my best to play well."
After defeating Joanna, Zhang Weili got the opportunity to challenge the golden belt again.
Continue to fight with a grateful heart
Although these years have not been smooth sailing, Zhang Weili has always carried a grateful heart.
She stressed that she was able to pursue her dreams, to be able to stand in the highest hall of MMA events, she was already very lucky, and there was a team around her that has been supporting, and there are so many fans' attention, everything is enough.
If there is anything that is not satisfied? That is, Zhang Weili is still not satisfied with the achievements made so far.
She is determined to fight longer in the octagonal cage, and every game is a breakthrough for her past self.
"Breaking through myself isn't just my goal now, it's something I've been doing all my life. I've played against the grass-heavy strongmen of this era, and I believe there will be new people popping up, and I hope to stay in good shape and play with more strong people. ”
It sounds like Espazar and the golden belt are by no means the end of Zhang Weili, and the 32-year-old will continue to walk on this stage.
Coincidentally, Zhang Weili's opponents Joanna, Rose and Espazar had competed before the game, and before the game, they agreed that Zhang Weili would be the winner of Madison's Garden Square on November 13.
And this, of course, is also the expectation of all Chinese audiences who support Zhang Weili.
Editor-in-Charge: Pu Yaolei