DOHA: Wu Chongkui fantasized about the thrills of breaking waves in the sea with a motorboat when selected and asked to practice rowing by a coach four years ago.

Now, the emerging national and world champion realizes just how drab, boring and tortuous training can be, but is determined to hold on, with an eye on an Olympic gold and the money to fulfil a long -cherished dream - to own a car.

"I had no idea what kind of sport rowing is. I thought it would be great fun," said Wu after winning a gold medal at the men's lightweight single sculls.

Wu, 17, became the first Chinese male rower to win a world championships title in August at the men's lightweight four.

He was also a national champion at last year's National Games.

"Since I have put a lot into the sport, I tell myself I have to hold on. I am now the national, Asian and world champion. What I lack is an Olympic gold medal. I am fully focused on preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympics."

His dreams of a steering motorboat have now been replaced by one of driving a car.

"Training is very hard and I have no time for fun. In my spare time, I like to surf the Internet, play games and read up all about cars from magazines."

"I hope I perform well at the Olympics. Then I will have some money to afford a car."

Dramatic start

Wu entry into the sport was quite dramatic.

Four years ago, the coach came into his class, asked the students sitting in the last three rows to stand up, shook his head and was about to leave.

At that time, 1.80-metre-tall Wu, one of the tallest students who should have been one of those standing up, was seated by the teacher in the first row for breach of discipline.

"When the coach was about to leave, some of my classmates called my name. The coach turned around and asked me to stand up.

"Then, he tested my waistline, weight and height before finally making the decision."

Wu's rapid improvement in the following years proved the choice to be the right one.

In less than three years, he was crowned national champion at the men's lightweight double sculls and immediately called into the national team last year.

His breakthrough at the world championships came after less than one year as a national team member.

The Doha victory in the single sculls event is his first attempt since being asked to try two weeks ago.

"There is no men's lightweight four at this Asian Games. So the coach wanted me to start training the single sculls in order to compete here.

"I did not expect to win. The training was too short and the opponents strong," Wu said.

Wu said he would use all his talent for the men's lightweight event during preparations for the 2008 Games.

"We will all work hard for the event. We will first have to compete in the qualifiers next year and then fight for a gold in Beijing," he said.