New Challenges
On May 16, the 6th World Sports Lawrence Award was held in Estoril, Portugal.
"Then I will announce that the winner of the 6th World Sports Lawrence Award Best Newcomer Award goes to..." The guest stood in front of the microphone with a smile on his face. He looked at the card in his hand and the audience under the stands, and then again look at the card in his hand, he stopped for a few seconds before continuing to say:
"Zhang Guan!"
Zhang Guan immediately stood up with a surprised expression on his face. He always thought that Phelps had a greater chance. He didn't expect the final selection committee to choose himself.
Zhang Guan did not know that Phelps wasn't elected because the judges were concerned about the US doping scandal, and the US doping scandal was caused by Kondo Kumi, but Kondo Kumi wanted to expose Zhang Guan, so the final roots came out of Zhang Guan again, which seemed to be a ring, starting with him and ending with him.
A few hours ago, when Zhang Guan and Sharapova appeared together, all the media took pictures, but none of the reporters would think much about it. In this kind of public event, especially the award ceremony, it is normal for the stars to walk the red carpet together. Some media even speculate that Sharapova chose to walk the red carpet with Zhang Guan because Zhang Guan is tall enough. Other athletes present were not as tall as Sharapova, and they were not coordinated to stand together.
Lawrence's award ceremony attracted many stars, especially those living in Europe. For example, although Beckham did not receive any nominations, he still brought his wife who had just given birth to the scene.
Most of the media just expressed regret that Phelps failed to win the award, but no one questioned Zhang Guan. After all, Zhang Guan's achievements are equally convincing, and it is reasonable to win the newcomer award.
After the Lawrence awards ceremony, Zhang Guan and Sharapova flew to Paris, France. Sharapova was preparing to participate in the French Open next week.
...
The Lawrence Awards are very influential in European and American countries. Each award ceremony of the Lawrence Awards will not only attract many big-name athletes, but also many movie stars and singers.
In China, the influence of the Lawrence Award is more general. Dayao also won the Lawrence Award two years ago, but there are not many reports in China. Ordinary people don't care much about the awards won by athletes. They only care about the performance of athletes, such as winning a championship in a certain competition, breaking records in a certain project, and so on.
Therefore, after the news that Zhang Guan won the Lawrence Award was sent back to China, most of the media just sent a short message, at most accompanied by a picture, and the gold content of this award is generally not recognized in China. At present, various domestic sports associations are still in the state of closing their doors to run their games. Until the future of Chinese sports gradually goes to the world, everyone will slowly realize the impact and value of these sports awards.
On May 23, the French Tennis Open officially started, Zhang Guan personally came to the scene to cheer for Sharapova. The four major tennis open matches would have attracted many stars from all walks of life to watch, coupled with Zhang Guan's relatively low-key dress, so no one noticed that Zhang Guan arrived on the scene.
Sharapova's performance at the French Open can't be said to be bad, but luck is more general. She encountered Justine Henin in the quarter-finals. This time Henin can be described as being in good condition. While blocking and killing Buddha, Sharapova lost to Justine Henin in the quarter-finals, and Justine Henin also killed all the way to become the champion of this French Open.
As for the escort sent by the field management center, Zhang Guan simply guided him to a Paris tour group and then gave him three days of French Open tickets. This guy traveled for free to Paris 'major attractions for three days. The splendid competition of the Grand Slam tournament is naturally full of joy, so he was very willing to stay in Paris.
But the good times always pass so fast, this couple of star athletes finally have to be separated temporarily.
Sharapova leaned lazily in Zhang Guan's arms and fed a cherry to Zhang Guan. At the same time, she said, "I'm going to the UK tomorrow to participate in the DFS Classic in Birmingham."
"Have you never heard of this game, and there are a lot of prizes?" Zhang Guan asked.
"No, mainly the venue. The Birmingham Classic is the grass." Sharapova said.
Zhang Guan immediately understood that Sharapova was preparing for the upcoming Wimbledon.
Wimbledon has a special meaning for Sharapova. Last year, Sharapova won the Wimbledon championship. This is the first Grand Slam in her life, and this year, she will defend the championship. The posture appeared on Wimbledon, so Sharapova took Wimbledon seriously this time. At the same time, Wimbledon's playing field is grass, so Sharapova will choose the Birmingham Classic to adapt to the grass game in advance.
"Then I'm afraid I can't accompany you anymore. I have to go back to my country." Zhang Guan spits out the cherry seeds and then said, "The day when Wimbledon started, I happened to participate in the track and field preliminaries of the 10th National Games, and then the Golden League series, and then the East Asian Games, I might be busy until the end of the year."
"Oh..." Sharapova looked disappointed.
"But at the end of the year, there will be no track and field events. I will go to the United States to find you." Zhang Guan said, holding Sharapova in his arms, the two lingering together again, cherishing this short and beautiful alone time together.
...
According to the original arrangement, in early June, the track and field team will send people to the United States for a tour and study to see what the world's most advanced track and field training looks like. And Liu Feiren and Zhang Guan will also go with the team and will participate in the Prefontaine Track and Field Classic and Reebok Track and Field Grand Prix. These two events are not within the IAAF 's plan, but the Americans' track and field events, which can be said to be part of the commercialization of American sports. The Athletics Association also wants to continue these two games to examine how the United States operates in sports commercialization and see if domestic track and field competitions can learn from this American commercialization model.
With the outbreak of the US doping scandal, this trip was canceled. I had planned to learn the most advanced track and field system in the world, but what should I learn now? How can we learn to be like Americans, to use stimulants without being detected?
Therefore, Zhang Guan stayed in the training base for peace of mind, preparing to participate in the qualifiers for the 10th National Games on June 20th.
...
The next day, the European media, like a brown bear smelling honey, was all over this event. Jamaican trapeze Asafa Powell set a good result 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 person in the world? Zhang Guan? Or Powell? If you look at it from your personal best results, it must be Zhang Guan, but Powell's state has recently burst, and the speed of performance improvement is more like a rocket. Everyone can see that Powell's limit is not here.
And Zhang Guan, although extremely dazzling in the indoor competition in February, he only participated in one IAAF Osaka Grand Prix this year. Although he defeated Gatlin and won the championship, it was compared with Powell's 9.77. In terms of seconds, Zhang Guan's performance this year is still a little far behind. Although everyone knows that 19-year-old Zhang Guan is also promising, at least from the current state, Powell seems to be better.
Powell's challenge to Zhang Guan was quickly copied by the media, and when the IAAF Golden League started on July 1, it was the moment of the duel between the two. It is only half a month away. The whole of Europe, or the whole world who loves track and field, was looking forward to that day, looking forward to the battle for the title of world's first flying man!
The IAAF was very welcoming to the hype of the "world's first trapeze" battle, and even secretly boosted the Americans because of the stimulant thing, they can't count on it, and they lack the American muscle sticks. This year the 100-meter trapeze battle of the Golden League seems to lack a lot of attention. The IAAF urgently needs an event to make the world pay attention to the upcoming IAAF Golden League. So the next encounter between Zhang Guan and Powell was even crowned as the "First Trapeze Tournament" by the Golden League official.
The mainstream public opinion in Europe is looking forward to the duel between the two, but some people who do not like Zhang Guan jumped out at this time and began to criticize Zhang Guan, such as the famous British sports critic Erickson. Erickson felt that his face was not hurt enough at the Olympic Games, and he stood up decisively again to prepare for a fight.
The British "Guardian" published a commentary of the famous Zhang Guan. Erickson: Powell ran a good result of 9.77 seconds. I think this is justified. This is a reasonable process. It can be seen from Powell's past results that he has been making progress. As for Zhang Guan, I admit that he achieved good results last year, but his rise is too sudden. During the Athens Olympics, he suddenly appeared without any signs. This is true in any sports. Not consistent with common sense. So I always think that Zhang Guan is only a short-lived one. In the second half of last year and the beginning of this year, his luck is good, but luck cannot always accompany him for a lifetime. Look at this year's IAAF Osaka Grand Prix. Although he defeated Gatlin, the victory was so difficult. The two won't win or lose until the end. This shows that Zhang Guan's luck is running out. I think he will soon show his true form! As for the competition for the world's first trapeze, I think Powell's victory is only a matter of time.
...
"Powell challenges Zhang Guan!"
Zhang Gua looked at the striking headline in the newspaper and frowned slightly.
"9.77 seconds, Powell ran out 9.77 seconds this year. In the next three years, Powell is probably my biggest opponent. I have to keep improving, otherwise, I will be caught by this guy.
Zhang Guan stood up, threw the newspaper, picked up the luggage, and went out.
Next, he is going to participate in the preliminaries of the 10th National Games.