Teenage talent Zheng raises her bar higher
By Ling Hu (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-10 05:46

HELSINKI: Within three years, China's high jumper Zheng Xingjuan grew up from an ordinary girl to a participant at the World Athletics Championships.

So when she left the stadium of the ongoing championships on Saturday having only cleared 1.84m and without making into final round, the 16-year-old, the youngest member of the Chinese team still thought she has had a good start in her World Championships debut.

"The result does not matter too much to me. All that happened here has been a good lesson for me. I am sure I will perform better and better," Zheng said.

A result no less than 1.91m in the qualifying round would have been enough for her to reach the final round and Zheng knew she was able to do that.

But she could only clear the bar at 1,84m, 9 centimetres shy of her personal best. Zheng passed 1.80m and 1.84m both on her second attempt but failed all three attempts at 1.88m.

"I jumped really badly. It is my first time to compete in a major international event. I was a little bit nervous," said the teenager. "It is also a little bit cold and I am not quite adjusted to the cool weather."

However the confident Zheng said what she lacks most is not the skill but the experience.

"It is a pity and I paid for the inconsistency. But I am young and I still have chances in the future."

But for the teenager who has only taken part in two international junior competitions in her short three-year career, the Helsinki experience was a good one.

"Actually I was only jumping 1.56m three years ago," smiled Zheng when remembering the year when she was admitted into the provincial team at 13.

Even in January, Zheng could only jump 1.75m at a junior athletics tournament in Sydney.

But three months later, she stunned China's athletic circle by raising her bar dramatically at 1.92, winning the title at the Zhongshan stop of the nation's track and field championship in April.

Her good form continued as she cleared 1.88m during Europe-Asia Junior Athletics competition in June in Bangkok.

Her surprising performances won her a place in the national team and a trip to Helsinki.

She had to do everything alone in her first major international competition because her coach did not travel with her.

"I am the only high jumper in the Chinese team so I have to do everything by myself. It is also a good chance to learn," she said.

Zheng is determined to put the championships behind her and is setting her sights on the Asian record.

"My next target is to break the Asian record of 1.98."

She is also eyeing the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

"I have the dream in my heart to participate the 2008 Beijing Games."

(China Daily 08/10/2005 page16)

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