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China, Denmark and France Share the Spoils as Individual Events End

2008-09-12 16:32 Xinhuanet

9/11/2008
Play in the individual events at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games came to a conclusion in the Peking University Gymnasium on Thursday 11th September 2008 with gold medals going the way of China, Denmark and France.

The two finals that brought the day to a conclusion seeing the host nation’s Chen Gang and Ge Yang in floods of tears, after they had clinched the top prize in front of their adoring fans.

Weeks and months preparation had all been worthwhile.

Men’s Individual Class 8

In the Men’s Individual Class 8 final, Chen Gang beat Poland’s Piotr Grudzien with bronze going the way of Slovakia’s Miroslav Jambor, who did what few achieve.

He overcame a Chinese player to secure success; in five games he defeated Li Manzhou.

Glory for Ge Yang

Success for Chen Gang and soon after it was glory for Ge Yang.

He did what nobody was able to do at the Olympic Games, he beat Ma Lin!

Consolation

The man with the same name of the winner of the Men’s Singles event at the Olympic Games was understandably disappointed with his defeat but he can take great consolation in the fact that he is a Class 9 player. He was competing in an event against Class 10 players.

The higher the number the less severe is the disability.

Bronze Medallists

Bronze in the Class 9/10 competition went to Sweden’s Fredrik Andersson, the Athens Men’s individual Class 10 Silver medallist who beat Gerben Last of the Netherlands in the crucial contest.

Vive la France

Two gold medals for China in the second session of play in the fifth day of action and two for France; Christophe Durand won Men’s Individual Class 4/5 whilst Vincent Boury secured gold in Men’s Individual Class 2.

At the final hurdle Christophe Durand defeated Jung Eun Chang of Korea, whilst Vincent Boury overcame compatriot Stephane Molliens.

Sportsmanship

Hard fought matches with Jung Eun Chang gaining everyone’s admiration for outstanding sportsmanship.

In the crucial fifth game of the final he trailed 3-9; an attacking stroke from Christophe Durand clipped the edge of the table at the Korean’s side. It was a faint touch, the umpire gave Jung Eun Chang the point; he advised the official that the point should be awarded to his adversary.

Correctly, the score was duly changed. Christophe Durand acknowledged the gesture but showed no charity, he won the next two points and the top prize was secured in emotional scenes.

Success for Korea and Norway

The bronze medal in the Men’s Individual Class 4/5 event went to Norway’s Tommy Urhaug who defeated Egypt’s Sameh Saleh; whilst in Men’s Individual Class 2, third place was secured by Korea’s Kim Kyung Mook.

He defeated Denmark’s Lars Hansen in the defining duel.

Danish Gold

In the one remaining category to be decided it was success for Denmark with Peter Rosenmeier winning gold.

Seeded No.2, he beat top seed, Germany’s Daniel Arnold in the final and like all others celebrated, gratefully acknowledging the Danish contingent who had supported him in the most important table tennis match of his life.

The Netherlands Celebrates

Celebrations for Denmark and also for the Netherlands; in the bronze medal match Nico Blok defeated Germany’s Rainer Schmidt, the Athens silver medallist.

The winning point secured, Nico Blok collapsed prone on the floor in jubilation; politely Rainer Schmidt walked towards his opponent; congratulated his conqueror and smiled.

Paralympic Spirit

A magnificent gesture by the German, it was a gesture that summed up the individual events at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games; incredible effort, nerve tingling emotion and true sportsmanship.

Everyone who competed, medallist or not was a credit to their families, their countries and to the sport of table tennis; the Paralympic spirit, the Olympic spirit was upheld.

(Credit: ITTF)

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