China held off a fast-finishing Australia to take the gold medal in the Mixed Double Sculls - Trunk and Arms on Thursday at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.
Boosted by a vocal hometown crowd, China's Shan Zilong and Zhou Yangjing scored a popular and hard-fought victory by 0.89 seconds over Australia's Kathryn Ross and John Maclean, with early leaders and eventual bronze medalists Brazil's Josiane Lima and Elton Santana 7.67 seconds further behind.
It was truly a race in two halves, with Brazil leading China and the rest of the field through the halfway mark by over two seconds. That early pace seemed to take its toll though as China noticeably lifted their stroke and work rates, an effort Brazil couldn't match.
As the tempo of the race increased, the Chinese duo maintained its rhythm and by the 750-meter mark had its bow in front and enough fuel in the tank to hold off a fast-charging and increasingly-threatening Australian combination over the closing stages.
Italy finished fourth, Great Britain was fifth and pre-regatta favorite Poland crossed the line in sixth place.
(BOCOG September 11, 2008)