TIANJIN, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Olympic fencing champion Zhong Man took his first gold medal in individual event at the Chinese National Games on Monday.
Zhong, who won China's first ever men's fencing Olympic gold at 2008 Beijing Olympics, overtaking his Jiangsu teammate Sun Wei 15-9 in the men's sabre final while Wang Shi of Liaoning defeated Guangdong's Deng Xiaohao 15-13 in the bronze medal battle.
Zhong participated the National Games three times before but only got a bronze in the individual competition in 2005.
"It's definitely, definitely the last time I compete in the National Games," said the 34-year-old, "I couldn't sleep last two nights because of nervousness, that never happened before. I am so excited to fullfill my dream in my last shot."
Zhong took an early lead 8-1 but Sun fought back to cut the deficit to 10-12, then Zhong scored three points in a row to seal the victory.
"I think Sun has a bright future. Next time he will be the champion if he can put all his heart into training," Zhong said.
The 24-year-old Sun is the only Chinese fencer in men's sabre at Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but he failed to pass through the first round.
In women's foil, Tianjin fencer Sun Chao claimed her first National Games title by defeating teammate Zhang Henan 15-10 as Fujian's Le Huiling downed Jin Shasha of Tianjin 15-11 in the bronze medal match.
