China steps up race walking tactics

China's race walking gold is hailed as a result of updating the team's traditional method of staging intensive trainings on the high-altitude Qinghai Plateau, which hadn't reaped Olympic gold since the 2000 Sydney Games.

After the 2008 Beijing Games, the sport's governing body invited foreign coaches and sent athletes to train and compete abroad.

China's London victory in the event helped compensate for its otherwise lackluster track and field performances.

The men's team took one gold and two bronze, while Cheyang Sigya took a bronze in the women's 20km.

A week ago, Chen Ding strode to victory in the men's 20km, becoming China's first male race walking gold medalist.

His compatriot Wang Zhen finished third.

On Saturday, Si Tianfeng took the bronze in the men's 50km, which was another breakthrough in this category.

"It's a great start," China's track and field chief Du Zhaocai said.

"These results are encouraging us to stick to modern and advanced methods (It) brought remarkable improvement."

Chinese walkers are always strong contenders in such international competitions as the World Challenges and the World Championships. But they usually lose at the Olympics because their techniques lack consistency, Du explained.

"Race walking is a sport that blends endurance and technique," Du said.

"Once our techniques reach international standards, we can make breakthroughs."

China's Sydney victory came from Wang Liping in the women's 20km.

Wang traveled to London to support China's team and praised their success.

"It's a tough sport because you have to undergo years of training and competition before you get a chance to stand on the podium," Wang said.

"I'm proud of them. We all know Russia is one of race walking's dominant forces. After this Olympics, China could tell the world that its race walkers are in the lead."

Italian coach

Chinese race walkers used to train in plateau camps to enhance stamina.

They are known for training extremely hard but frequently receive red cards because of flawed techniques.

China hired 62-year-old Italian walking coach Sandro Damilano, who has been involved in the sport for 40 years, in 2009 and sent its squad abroad for overseas training and competitions.

"I did change a lot about them, both technically and mentally, and also their way of living life," said Damilano, who had 46 medals, including five gold, under his coaching belt before working with China's team.

"London is a turning point for China's race walking. In the past, even when the Chinese walkers - mostly females - were strong, they were often disqualified.

"Now, with the work we did together, they have a cleaner and effective technique. They are now more confident, as they know their chance of being disqualified is lower."

The Chinese did not have a single dismissal in London.

Bronze medalist Si was pleased there was not even a yellow card in his race.

"The Italian coach improved our technique a lot," Si said. "It used to be the Chinese were frequently warned and dismissed for short and quick steps. We can see our technique was recognized by this Olympics' referees."

chenxiangfeng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/13/2012 page11)