On May 16, the 6th World Sports Laureus Awards were held in Ashtoril, Portugal.
"Now I announce that the winner of the Sixth World Sports Laureus Award for Best Newcomer is..." The guest stood in front of the microphone with a smile on his face. He looked at the card in his hand, then looked at the audience, and then looked again He looked at the card in his hand, paused for a few seconds, and then continued:
"Zhang Guan!"
Zhang Guan stood up immediately with a surprised expression on his face. He always thought that Phelps had a better chance, but he didn't expect that the awards committee would choose him in the end.
Zhang Guan didn’t know that Phelps’s defeat was due to the judges’ concerns about the American doping scandal. The American doping scandal was caused by Kamezo Kondo, but Kamezo Kondo’s was to investigate Zhang Guan, so the final decision The source came out of Zhang Guan again. It seemed like a ring, starting from him and ending with him.
A few hours ago, when Zhang Guan and Sharapova appeared together, all the media gathered around to take photos, but no reporter thought much about it. It is normal for celebrities to walk on the red carpet together in such public events, especially award ceremonies. Some media even speculated that Sharapova chose to walk on the red carpet with Zhang Guan because Zhang Guan was tall enough. Others The athletes present were all not as tall as Sharapova, and they were uncoordinated standing together.
Lawrence's award ceremony attracted many celebrities, especially those living in Europe. For example, Beckham, although he did not receive any nominations, still came to the scene with his wife who had just given birth to a child.
As for Phelps not being able to win the award, most of the media just expressed regret, but no one questioned Zhang Guan. After all, Zhang Guan's achievements are equally convincing, and he deserves to win the Newcomer Award.
After the Lawrence Awards Ceremony, Zhang Guan and Sharapova flew to Paris, France, where Sharapova is preparing to participate in the French Open next week.
…
The Lawrence Awards are very influential in European and American countries. Each Lawrence Awards ceremony not only attracts many big-name athletes, but also many movie stars and singers to participate.
In China, the influence of the Lawrence Prize is relatively average. Dayao also won the Lawrence Award two years ago, but there were not many reports in China. Ordinary people don't care much about the awards and honors athletes receive. What they care about is the athletes' achievements, such as winning a championship in a certain competition, breaking a record in a certain event, etc.
Therefore, after the news that Zhang Guan won the Lawrence Award came back to China, most media just sent a short message, accompanied by a picture at most. The country generally did not realize the gold content of this award. At present, various domestic sports associations are still organizing competitions behind closed doors. When Chinese sports gradually go global in the future, everyone will slowly realize the influence and value of these sports awards.
On May 23, the French Open officially started, and Zhang Guan came to the scene in person to cheer for Sharapova. The Four Major Tennis Opens would have attracted many celebrities from all walks of life to watch. In addition, Zhang Guan dressed relatively low-key, so no one noticed Zhang Guan arriving at the scene.
Sharapova's performance at the French Open cannot be said to be bad, but her luck is relatively average. She met Justin Henin in the quarterfinals. This year's French Open, Henin is in good condition, and can really be said to be a killer. After blocking and killing Buddha, Sharapova finally lost to Haining in the quarterfinals, and Haining also fought all the way to the end and became the champion of this French Open.
As for the escort sent by the Tian Guan Center, Zhang Guan simply signed him up for a Paris tour group, and then gave him a three-day French Open ticket. This guy traveled to major attractions in Paris for free and hung out for three days. Naturally, I was very happy to watch the exciting matches of the Grand Slam tournament, so I was very willing to stay in Paris.
However, the good times always fly by so quickly, and this star-athlete couple finally parted ways for the time being.
Sharapova leaned lazily in Zhang Guan's arms, fed Zhang Guan a cherry, and said at the same time: "I'm going to England tomorrow to participate in the DFS Classic in Birmingham."
"Have you never heard of this competition with a lot of prize money?" Zhang Guan asked.
"No, it's mainly the venue. The Birmingham Classic is on grass," Sharapova said.
Zhang Guan immediately understood that Sharapova was preparing for the upcoming Wimbledon.
Wimbledon has special meaning for Sharapova. Last year, Sharapova won the Wimbledon championship. This was the first Grand Slam in her life. This year, she will defend the championship. The posture appeared on the Wimbledon court, so Sharapova attaches great importance to this Wimbledon. At the same time, Wimbledon is played on grass, so Sharapova chose the Birmingham Classic to get used to playing on grass.
"Then I'm afraid I can't accompany you. I have to go back to China." Zhang Guan spat out the cherry seeds and continued: "On the day Wimbledon starts, I happen to be participating in the track and field preliminaries of the Domestic Tenth National Games, and after that it's the Golden League series, and then the East Asian Games, I may have to be busy until the end of the year.”
"Oh..." Sharapova looked disappointed.
"But there will be no track and field events at the end of the year. I will go to the United States to find you then." Zhang Guan said, holding Sharapova in his arms, and the two of them were lingering together again, cherishing this short but beautiful moment. Time together.
…
According to the original arrangement, in early June, the track and field team will send people to the United States for a visit and study to see what the most advanced track and field training in the world is like. It can be said to be a journey to learn from experience. Liu Feiren and Zhang Guan will also go with the team and will participate in the Prefontaine Track and Field Classic and the Reebok Track and Field Grand Prix. These two events are not within the plans of the IAAF, but are track and field events organized by the Americans themselves. It can be said that they are part of the commercialization of American sports. The Athletics Association also wants to follow these two games to examine how sports commercialization works in the United States and see whether domestic track and field competitions can learn from this American commercialization model.
The trip was canceled as the doping scandal broke out in the United States. I originally planned to learn the most advanced track and field system in the world, but what should I learn now? Want to learn how Americans use doping without getting caught
So Zhang Guan stayed at the training base and trained with peace of mind, preparing to participate in the 10th National Games track and field qualifiers to be held on June 20.
…
June 14, Athens, IAAF Super Grand Prix Athens Station, men's 100 meters final.
Powell stood on the track, staring straight at the finish line, showing a sense of perseverance.
Five days ago, at the IAAF Super Grand Prix Ostrava in the Czech Republic, Powell set a career-best time of 9.85 seconds, but at that time Powell did not use his full strength.
Today, Powell seems to feel the same game state as he did in the Czech Republic five days ago, even better than the game state that day!
"Come on, come on for the game! Let me have a good fight! I can't wait!" Powell was thinking in his heart. He felt his heart beating continuously, as if he was a warrior in battle. He felt excited by the battle drums he heard before, and at the same time, his body began to get excited. Every breath he took made him feel his body shaking with excitement and getting ready to go.
Finally, Powell stood on the starting block, and he finally waited for the moment the game started.
When the gunshot rang out, he started to accelerate, he started to run, he started to sprint. He felt very relaxed. He felt that every joint, every muscle and every cell in his body was full of power!
"I can be faster! I can be faster! I can do it! I can definitely do it!" Powell's arms swing more and more powerfully, and every kick of his legs maximizes his explosive power. He didn't pay attention to the situation of other athletes. In his eyes, there was only the end point.
Finally, Powell crossed the line, accompanied by the roar of the audience like a mountain and a tsunami.
Powell seemed to realize something. He looked back at the timer, then opened his mouth and shouted loudly.
In 9.77 seconds, Powell ran within 9.8 seconds. Five days later, he once again set a personal best time.
This is the first time of less than 9.8 seconds this year. If it were before the Athens Olympics, this would be a new world record, but now it is still the second best time in history, which is far away from Zhang Guan’s world record of 9.76 seconds. There is only a gap of 0.01 seconds, just one step away.
Powell shouted, roared, and vented excitedly. He knew that he had caught up with Zhang Guan. Next, he would challenge Zhang Guan's world record. He was confident that he could defeat Zhang Guan!
In the news interview after the game, Powell did not hesitate to speak his heart to the camera.
"Yeah, it's exciting, it's exciting, but I think I can be faster!"
"World record? Of course, I'm still 0.01 seconds off, but I believe I have the ability to break the world record held by Zhang Guan!"
"Yes, you are right. I am looking forward to meeting Zhang Guan again on the field! At that time, I will challenge him! Challenge the fastest man in the world. I am looking forward to that day. "
"Will Zhang Guan not participate in the next IAAF Zagreb Grand Prix? What about the Golden League? Will Zhang Guan participate in the Golden League? That's great, there's only half a month left, I can't wait! "
…
The next day, the European media became agitated like a brown bear smelling honey. Jamaican flyer Asafa Powell set a good time of 9.77 seconds in Athens, only 0.01 seconds away from the world record, and more importantly, he challenged Zhang Guan!
Who is the fastest man in the world? Zhang Guan? Or Powell? If you look at personal best results, it is definitely Zhang Guan, but Powell has been in great form recently, and his performance has improved as fast as a rocket. Everyone can see that Powell's limit is not here.
As for Zhang Guan, although he was extremely dazzling in the indoor competition in February, in the 100-meter race, he only participated in one IAAF Osaka Grand Prix this year. Although he defeated Gatlin and won the championship, it was not as good as Powell's 9.77 In terms of seconds, Zhang Guan's results this year are still far behind. Although everyone knows that the 19-year-old Zhang Guan also has a bright future, at least judging from the current state, Powell seems to be better.
Powell's challenge to Zhang Guan was quickly picked up by the media, and when the IAAF Golden League starts on July 1, it will be the time for the two to face off, only half a month away from now. The whole of Europe, or the whole world, who love track and field, is beginning to look forward to that day, and to the battle for the world's No. 1 flying man!
The International Association of Athletics Federations welcomes the hype surrounding this battle for the "world's No. 1 flying man" and even secretly adds fuel to the flames. The Americans cannot count on the doping issue. Without the muscles of the United States, this year The 100-meter flying contest of the Golden League seems to lack a lot of highlights. The IAAF urgently needs an event to make the world pay attention to the upcoming IAAF Golden League. Therefore, the next encounter between Zhang Guan and Powell was officially dubbed the "First Flying Competition" by the Golden League officials.
Mainstream public opinion in Europe is looking forward to the duel between the two, but some people who don't like Zhang Guan jumped out at this time and began to badmouth Zhang Guan, such as the famous British sports commentator Eriksson. Eriksson felt that being hit in the face in the Olympics was not painful enough, so he decisively stood up again and was ready to get slapped.
The British "Guardian" published a commentary by the famous "Zhang Guanhei" Ericsson: Powell ran a good time of 9.77 seconds. I think this is natural and a reasonable process. We translated Looking at Powell's past results, we can see that he has been improving. As for Zhang Guan, I admit that he achieved good results last year, but his rise was too sudden. During the Athens Olympics, he suddenly appeared without any warning. This is unprecedented in any sports competition. Unreasonable. So I always think that Zhang Guan is just a flash in the pan. In the second half of last year and the beginning of this year, he had good luck, but luck can never accompany him for a lifetime. Take a look at this year's IAAF Osaka Grand Prix. Although he defeated Gat Lin, but the victory was so difficult. The two didn't decide the winner until the end. This shows that Zhang Guan's luck is about to run out. I think he will soon reveal his true colors! As for the battle for the world's No. 1 flyer, I think it's only a matter of time before Powell wins.
…
"Powell challenges Zhang Guan!" 》
Zhang Guang looked at the eye-catching title in the newspaper and frowned slightly.
"9.77 seconds, Powell indeed ran 9.77 seconds this year. In the next three years, Powell will probably be my biggest opponent. I have to keep improving, otherwise I will really be caught up by this guy."
Zhang Guan stood up, threw the newspaper away, picked up his luggage and walked out.
Next, he is going to participate in the preliminaries of the Tenth National Games.
The fourth update has arrived, please give me a monthly ticket and subscription. Thanks to the book friends Melancholic Romance, Lunar Hate, Seven Thousand Stars, Super Big Dumplings, obizy, Baima Xiaoxifeng, Zhang Daoyi, Da 10%, Quan 18, Searching for Legends Online Wolf, and mig290 for the reward. Thanks!
(End of chapter)