All-round Athlete

Chapter 117 The King of Track and Field: A New Challenge

On May 16, the 6th Laureus World Sports Awards was held in Estoril, Portugal.

"Now I announce that the winner of the 6th World Sports Lawrence 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 at the audience under the stands, and then again Looking at the card in his hand, he paused for a few seconds before continuing to speak:

"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 did not expect that the award committee finally chose him.

Zhang Guan didn't know that Phelps lost the election because of the judges' concerns about the American doping scandal, and the American doping scandal was caused by Kondo Kamezo, and Kondo Kamezo's was to investigate Zhang Guan. The source came out of Zhang Guan again, which seemed to be 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 pictures, but no reporter thought much about it. This kind of public event, especially the awards ceremony, it is normal for celebrities to walk the red carpet together. Some media even speculated that Sharapova chose to walk the red carpet with Zhang Guan because she was tall enough. Others The athletes present are not as tall as Sharapova, and they are not coordinated when standing together.

Lawrence's awards ceremony attracted many stars, 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.

As for Phelps not being able to win the award, most of the media only expressed regret, but no one questioned Zhang Guan. After all, Zhang Guan's achievements are also convincing, and it is only natural that he won the Newcomer Award.

After the Lawrence awards ceremony, Zhang flew to Paris, France, with Sharapova, who is preparing to compete in next week's French Open.

...

The Lawrence Awards are very influential in European and American countries. Every Lawrence Awards ceremony not only attracts many famous athletes, but also many movie stars and singers.

In China, the influence of the Lawrence Award is relatively general. 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 won by athletes. What they care about is the achievements of athletes, such as winning a championship in a certain competition, breaking a record in a certain event, and so on.

Therefore, after the news of Zhang Guan winning the Lawrence Award was spread back to China, most of the media just sent a short message, at most accompanied by a picture, and the domestic people generally did not realize the gold content of this award. At present, various domestic sports associations are still in the state of holding their own competitions behind closed doors. When Chinese sports gradually go global in the future, everyone will gradually realize the influence and value of these sports awards.

On May 23, the French Open officially started. Zhang Guan personally went to the scene to cheer for Sharapova. The four major tennis tournaments would have attracted many celebrities from all walks of life to watch, and Zhang Guan's dress was relatively low-key, so no one noticed that Zhang Guan had arrived at the scene.

Sharapova's performance at the French Open cannot be said to be bad, but her luck was average. She met Justin Henin in the quarter-finals. This year's French Open, Heinin is in good condition. It can be said that she is a Buddha who blocks and kills people. In the end, Sharapova lost to Haining in the quarterfinals, and Haining also fought all the way to become the champion of this year's French Open.

As for the escort sent by the field management center, Zhang Guan simply signed him up for a Paris tour group, and then gave him three days of tickets to the French Open. Naturally, I am very happy in my heart for the wonderful game of the Grand Slam, so I am very willing to stay in Paris.

But the good times always pass so fast, this couple of star athletes finally have to part ways temporarily.

Sharapova leaned lazily in Zhang Guan's arms, fed a cherry to Zhang Guan, and said at the same time, "I'm going to England tomorrow to participate in the DFS Classic in Birmingham."

"I've never heard of this competition, with a lot of prize money?" Zhang Guan asked.

"No, it's mainly the venue. The Birmingham Classic is 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 was the first Grand Slam in her life. This year, she will defend the championship The posture appeared in the Wimbledon arena, so Sharapova attached great importance to this Wimbledon. At the same time, Wimbledon is played on grass, so Sharapova chose the Birmingham Classic to adapt to the grass in advance.

"Then I'm afraid I can't accompany you, I have to go back to China." Zhang Guan spat out the cherry seeds, and then said: "The day Wimbledon started, I happened to be participating in the track and field preliminaries of the 10th National Games in China, and after that, the Golden League series, and then the East Asian Games, I may be busy until the end of the year."

"Oh..." Sharapova looked disappointed.

"However, there will be no track and field events at the end of the year. I will go to the United States to find you." Zhang Guan said, holding Sharapova in his arms, and the two were lingering together again, cherishing this short but beautiful time. spend time together.

...

According to the original arrangement, in early June, the track and field team will send people to the United States for a study tour to see what the most advanced track and field training in the world looks like. It can be said to be a trip to learn from the experience. And 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 plan of the IAAF, but are track and field events held by the Americans themselves, which can be said to be a part of the commercialization of American sports. The Athletic Association also wants to follow these two competitions to examine how the United States operates in terms of 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, the trip was also cancelled. I originally planned to learn about the most advanced track and field system in the world, but what should I learn now? Learn how Americans use doping without being found out?

So Zhang Guan stayed at the training base to train with peace of mind, preparing to participate in the track and field qualifiers for the 10th National Games to be held on June 20.

...

On June 14th, Athens, the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Athens, the men's 100m final.

Powell stood on the runway, staring straight at the finish line, revealing a sense of determination.

In the Czech Republic, the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Ostrava five days ago, Powell set the best time in his career: 9.85 seconds, but at that time Powell did not try his best.

But today, Powell seemed to feel the game state he had in the Czech Republic five days ago, even better than the game state that day!

"Come on quickly, come on the game quickly! Let me fight hard! I can't wait!" Powell was muttering in his heart, he felt his heart beating constantly, as if a soldier was fighting He felt excited when he heard the battle drums before, and at the same time his body was already excited. Every breath made him feel that his body was trembling with excitement, ready to go.

Finally, Powell stood on the starting block, and he finally waited for the moment when the race started.

The gunshot sounded, he started to speed up, he started to run, he started to sprint, he felt very happy, he felt that every joint, every muscle and every cell of his body was full of strength!

"I can be faster! I can be faster! I can do it! I can definitely do it!" Powell's arms were swinging more and more powerfully, and every kick of his legs brought his explosive power to the extreme. He didn't pay attention to the situation of other athletes. In his eyes, there was only the finish line.

Finally, Powell crossed the line, accompanied by the shouts of the audience like a mountain roaring 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. After five days, he once again created a personal best result.

It was the first time of the year under 9.8 seconds, which would have been a new world record if it had been before the Athens Olympics, but it is still the second best time in history, just short of Zhang Guan's world record of 9.76 seconds There is only a gap of 0.01 seconds left, 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 beat Zhang Guan!

In the news interview after the game, Powell did not hesitate to speak his mind to the camera.

"Yeah, excited, thrilled, but I think I can go faster!"

"World record? Of course, I'm still 0.01 seconds behind, but I believe that 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! To challenge the fastest man in the world, I am looking forward to this day. "

"Will Zhang Guan participate in the next IAAF Zagreb Grand Prix? What about the Golden League? Zhang Guan will participate in the Golden League? That's great. There's still half a month left, and I can't wait! "

...

The next day, the European media became restless 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 the personal best results, it must be Zhang Guan, but recently Powell's state has exploded, and the speed of his performance has improved like a rocket. Anyone can see that Powell's limit is not here.

As for Zhang Guan, although he was extremely dazzling in the indoor race in February, he only participated in one IAAF Osaka Grand Prix this year in the 100-meter race. Although he defeated Gatlin and won the championship, compared with Powell's 9.77 In seconds, Zhang Guan's performance this year is still far behind. Although everyone knows that the 19-year-old Zhang Guan also has a bright future, but at least from the current state, Powell seems to be better.

The matter of Powell challenging Zhang Guan was quickly picked up by the media, and when the IAAF Golden League kicked off on July 1, it was the moment when the two faced off, only half a month away from now. The whole of Europe, or people who love track and field all over the world, are looking forward to that day, looking forward to the battle for the world's first flying man!

The IAAF welcomes the hype of the "World's No. 1 Flying Man" competition very much, and even secretly contributes to the flames. The Americans can't count on the doping thing. Without the muscle of the United States, this year The 100-meter flying race of the Golden League seems to lack a lot of highlights. The IAAF urgently needs an event to make the whole world pay attention to the upcoming IAAF Golden League. So the next encounter between Zhang Guan and Powell was officially dubbed the "No. 1 Flying Man Competition" by the Golden League.

The mainstream public opinion in Europe is looking forward to the duel between the two, but there are also some people who don't like Zhang Guan jump out at this time and start to speak ill of Zhang Guan, such as the famous British sports commentator Eriksson. Eriksson felt that the face was not painful enough at the Olympics, so he stood up decisively again and prepared to take a draw.

The British "Guardian" published a review article by the famous "Zhang Guanhei" Eriksson: Powell ran a good time of 9.77 seconds. Looking at Powell's past results, it can be seen that he has been improving. As for Zhang Guan, I admit that he achieved good results last year, but his rise was too sudden. In the Athens Olympic Games in many years, he appeared suddenly without any warning. 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, his luck was very good, but luck can never accompany him for the rest of his life. Let’s take a look at this year’s IAAF Osaka Grand Prix. Although he defeated Gart Lin, but the victory was so difficult, and the two didn't decide the winner until the end. This shows that Zhang Guan's luck is almost exhausted. I think he will reveal his true colors soon! As for the world's first trapeze competition, I think it is only a matter of time before Powell wins.

...

"Powell challenged Zhang Guan! "

Zhang Hang looked at the eye-catching headline in the newspaper, and frowned slightly.

"9.77 seconds, Powell really ran 9.77 seconds this year. In the next three years, Powell may 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 10th National Games.

The fourth is delivered, ask for the next monthly ticket and subscription. Thanks to book friends Melancholic Romance, Moon's Crazy Hatred, Seven Thousand Stars, Super Dumplings, obizy, Baima Xiaoxifeng, Zhang Daoyi, Da Yicheng, Quan 18, Netwolf Looking for Legends, mig290 for the reward. Thanks!