At an age when many athletes are already enjoying retirement, Zhang Liang is still fighting on the field.
On September 24, in the men's double sculls final of the Hangzhou Asian Games, 36-year-old veteran Zhang Liang and his partner Liu Zhiyu won the championship together, winning the fourth Asian Games gold medal of their career, and also equaling the record of four Asian Games gold medals by senior Li Jianxin.
How can we continue to maintain a good competitive state at today's "advanced age"? Zhang Liang's answer was concise and powerful – "self-discipline."
That's what he said, and he did it even more - after winning the gold, Zhang Liang continued to come to the rowing machine and conduct physical training.
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Zhang Liang continued to practice himself after the game. Video Editor Xu Chuli (00:46)
The World Championships and Asian Games rotate continuously
Just over a dozen days ago, the 2023 World Rowing Championships came to an end in Belgrade, Serbia. After the fierce competition of the World Championships, the Chinese rowing team rushed to the Hangzhou Asian Games non-stop.
Such a tight schedule is a test for all team members, and it is a huge challenge for Zhang Liang, a 36-year-old veteran.
"It's a lot of pressure. After all, just after the World Championships, it was only a few days before returning to China, and it was only about eight days (the gap) before I put into preparation for the Asian Games. After winning the gold medal in the men's double sculls, he told reporters.
"This is a very big test for me as an old athlete in terms of physical fitness."
After winning the championship, Zhang Liang's challenge is not over - he will also face the single sculls competition, and if he can win the competition again, Zhang Liang will surpass Li Jianxin's record of four Asian Games gold medals and create a new history in Chinese rowing.
"There will be a solo boat race tomorrow, and I have to keep overcoming difficulties and pressure, and hopefully I can compete better tomorrow." This is what Zhang Liang expects from himself.
Zhang Liang (left) with partner Liu Zhiyu.
Self-discipline has created an ageless legend in rowing
In the history of Chinese rowing, Zhang Liang's name has left a deep enough mark - at the Tokyo Olympics, he partnered Liu Zhiyu to win the bronze medal in the men's double sculls in rowing, which was the first Olympic men's rowing medal in the history of China and even Asia.
At that time, at the age of 34, he was already regarded as a legendary veteran on the field. Now, two years later, Zhang Liang's story continues.
When asked by a reporter from The Paper the secret of maintaining his state for many years, Zhang Liang's answer was simple and direct - "self-discipline." In his career, Zhang Liang has relied on his continuous "pressing" and tempering of himself.
"Age and recovery are very big tests. I have never been slow about training and life, and I train almost every day. I am also very self-disciplined in life. ”
Although he is getting older, Zhang Liang's strict requirements for himself have not relaxed - after winning the gold medal in this Asian Games, after receiving the medal and accepting the reporter's interview, Zhang Liang immediately got on the rowing machine again and began to adjust his training.
Zhang Liang (right).
The dream of an Olympic gold medal in my heart is still burning
Earlier, when talking about the historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Zhang Liang's words were full of pride, "We have realized our dream of winning glory for our country." It also made the world rowing power realize that Chinese rowing also has very good athletes. ”
But a bronze medal is not the end of his dream - what sustains him all the way to further afield, there is also the dream of an Olympic gold medal burning in his heart.
At the recent World Rowing Championships, Zhang Liang/Liu Zhiyu finished sixth in the men's double sculls final and successfully qualified for the Olympic Games. At the Paris Olympics, veteran Zhang Liang will once again attack the peak.
The competition of the Asian Games is a good tempering. "Now the overall level of Asia is also improving, I haven't played against Asian opponents for five years, I don't know them well, so it puts a lot of pressure on me." Now that the gold medal has been bagged, Zhang Liang will continue to move steadily towards his dream.
"As an athlete, the highest honor I always pursue is definitely the Olympic champion, and of course I want to pursue that goal." He told reporters.
"So I also hope to achieve my dream of an Olympic gold medal in Paris."