China's Yuan Xiaochao (C), Japan's Ichikizaki Daisuke (L) and Iran's Peyghambari Ehsan pose on the podium during the awarding ceremony of men's Changquan at the 16th Asian Games held in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 13, 2010. Yuan won the title with 9.78 points. Ichikizaki Daisuke and Peyghambari Ehsan won the silver and bronze respectively. [Xinhua]

 

Wushu star Yuan Xiaochao cinched a "golden" start to China by winning the first gold medal of the 16th Asian Games in men's Changquan form on Saturday.

The defending champion Yuan, 22, impressed the judges and audiences，with his signature whirling kicks, lightning punches and acrobatic somersaults to snatch the gold medal with 9.78 points.

Japan's Daisuke Ichikizaki took the silver with 9.72 and Iran's Peyghambari Ehsan claimed the bronze with 9.70 points.

Up still his named was announced during the medal awarding ceremony, smiles finally spread on the stern face of the young man, who had been under the tremendous pressure to retain his title and to give the hosts an ideal start in their quest to top the medal table.

But his usual serious look returned soon even when he was on the podium, receiving his gold medal from the State Councilor Liu Yandong, who was among the crowd at the Nansha Gymnasium.

"I seldom show my feelings. That's me. In fact, I'm thrilling deep down in my heart, right now," said Yuan at the press conference.

China aims to dominate the Asiad medal table for the eighth consecutive time as its largest-ever squad is sent to compete in all 42 sports but Kabbadi. While, another two Asian sports powerhouses Japan and South Korea will compete for the second place.

In the thundering cheers from the crowd, short-haired Yuan, in a scarlet satin uniform, overcame jittery nerves to present an almost-perfect set except an unsteady landing following a leg-split.

"I got my feet injured during the training, which did affect my performances today," said Yuan. "In a competition like Changquan, it's hard to make no mistakes. Fortunatley, the result doesn't rely on one shot. I managed to made it up later."

Born to an old renowned martial art family in east China's Shandong Province, Yuan carried on the family's Kongfu bloodline by beginning professional training when he was 10. His uncle Yuan Xindong, now his coach, was crowned at the same event in Busan Asiad in 2002.

However, to prepare Saturday's competition whole-heartedly, Yuan even turned off his cell phone to screen the "disturbances" from "the outside", including his family members.

"But now, I want to share this honor with my beloved families, who are always supportive and caring," said Yuan. "I know my parents must be watching through the Iive broadcast, and I want to say to them 'Dad and mom, may you be healthy'."