Chinese wrestler Chang Yongxiang created here Wednesday the best ever men's achievement in the Olympic wrestling by clinching at least one silver medal.
The 24-year-old Chang beat Aleh Mikhalovich of Belarus in a tense semifinal of the men's 74kg Greco-Roman wrestling in the Beijing Games.
After losing the first bout 6-0 to Mikhalovich, Chang overturned the table in the coming two bouts.
The Chinese wrestler is expected to compete with Manuchar Kvirkelia of Georgia for the gold on Wednesday afternoon.
Chang, a new-comer to the Olympics, made a stunning debut Wednesday morning, outperforming world champion Yavor Yanakiev of Bulgaria.
Earlier, the best men's result for China in the Olympic wrestling was made by Sheng Zetian, a three-time Olympic bronze medalist who is now head coach of the Chinese national team.
Sheng said that "I was thrilled at the breakthrough made by Yongxiang and we hope to hear our national anthem this afternoon. We were well prepared to beat the Bulgarian world champion in the first round with Chang's great speed and explosion."
"We still have time to watch video and work out the strategy for Yongxiang in the final," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008)