Zou retains crown amid scoring row
Source: Xinhua |
August 13, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S Zou Shiming outscored Kaeo Pongprayoon of Thailand 13-10 in a controversial fight to retain the men's 49-kilogram title at the 2012 London Olympics on Saturday.
Zou, who edged Irishman Paddy Barnes in the semifinal, became the first boxer to retain the title in the light flyweight division, managed to lead in each of the three rounds. The 31-year-old took advantage in the first round 2-1, in which both fighters seemed reluctant to attack first.
The second round was much more fiery, Zou defending his side better than his 32-year-old opponent, edging it 4-3.
Pongprayoon made an effort in the third and final round to pull the score back, but Zou was more efficient, taking it 7-6, and pocketing his third medal and second gold in his three Olympic appearances.
The decision was met with boos from the ExCel Arena crowd and the Thai collapsed to the floor when the decision was announced before leaving the ring in tears.
"Every match was difficult, both for me and my opponents," said Zou. "Second gold medal is great for me. I'm enjoying it."
Zou was known as China's No. 1 fighter, especially after he claimed the bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He pocketed three titles from 2005 to 2011 at the world championships. This was possibly the final Olympic show for the father of a one-year-old boy. Zou wants to spend more time with his family now. "I had promised them I would bring home another Olympic gold, and today I fulfilled my promise," he said.
Zou wasn't in his best form before the final. He failed to nail overwhelming victories in each of his three previous matches, and his breathtaking semifinal aroused concern among Chinese boxing fans.
"There was too much pressure. Luckily I won the match. All I want to do now is to have a very, very good rest," said Zou .
A disappointed Pongprayoon said: "I feel that I won and I could see that the crowd thought I won. I don't know why I lost. I've lost to him twice before and both times I think I should have won."
Zou, who edged Irishman Paddy Barnes in the semifinal, became the first boxer to retain the title in the light flyweight division, managed to lead in each of the three rounds. The 31-year-old took advantage in the first round 2-1, in which both fighters seemed reluctant to attack first.
The second round was much more fiery, Zou defending his side better than his 32-year-old opponent, edging it 4-3.
Pongprayoon made an effort in the third and final round to pull the score back, but Zou was more efficient, taking it 7-6, and pocketing his third medal and second gold in his three Olympic appearances.
The decision was met with boos from the ExCel Arena crowd and the Thai collapsed to the floor when the decision was announced before leaving the ring in tears.
"Every match was difficult, both for me and my opponents," said Zou. "Second gold medal is great for me. I'm enjoying it."
Zou was known as China's No. 1 fighter, especially after he claimed the bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He pocketed three titles from 2005 to 2011 at the world championships. This was possibly the final Olympic show for the father of a one-year-old boy. Zou wants to spend more time with his family now. "I had promised them I would bring home another Olympic gold, and today I fulfilled my promise," he said.
Zou wasn't in his best form before the final. He failed to nail overwhelming victories in each of his three previous matches, and his breathtaking semifinal aroused concern among Chinese boxing fans.
"There was too much pressure. Luckily I won the match. All I want to do now is to have a very, very good rest," said Zou .
A disappointed Pongprayoon said: "I feel that I won and I could see that the crowd thought I won. I don't know why I lost. I've lost to him twice before and both times I think I should have won."
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