Hangzhou, China, September 27, 2023: Sometimes for a great athlete it is just not their day.
Such was the case in the Women’s All-Around Individual Final on Wednesday at the Asian Games where Chinese star Zhang Jin, the favorite for gold, had a tough outing and came away without a medal.
The 22-year-old Zhang, who finished fourth in the event won by teammate Zuo Tong, came undone while performing on the uneven bars in the second rotation. Zhang face planted onto the mat on her first try, then fell twice more before finally completing her routine.
The crowd at Huanglong Sports Centre Gymnasium groaned on each of Zhang’s falls. She finally got it right, but the damage was done.
“There is no physical reason, it is still in my own psyche,” Zhang stated afterward. “I was panicked because the uneven bars are not my strength. I am still a little worried about this project.”
Zhang, who led China to the team gold on Monday, said she braced herself and tried to continue by not thinking about the mistakes.
“My mentality in the arena was affected by the bars,” Zhang commented. “However, it is a game, and I can’t give up. I have to keep telling myself that it’s a training session.”
Zhang acknowledged that support from the home crowd helped her through the difficult moments.
“I am especially grateful to the audience, who encouraged me so much,” Zhang said. “No matter what, they are cheering me on.”
Zuo was one of those trying to motivate Zhang as the competition carried on.
“We were doing our best to encourage her on the floor routine,” Zuo noted. “We kept talking to her and trying to help.”
Following Wednesday’s competition, Zhang cited eight-time Olympian Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan, the 48-year-old legend, as a continuing inspiration to her and other gymnasts.
“We also feel that she is still fighting so hard in the arena at such an age, which gives us an example,” Zhang remarked. “We want to learn from her, which is the most precious spirit of the Olympic Games.”
Though Wednesday was not Zhang’s day, perhaps on another day, far in the future, it will be she who provides the stimulus for a future generation of gymnasts with her own positive approach to the sport.