Chinese shuttler Zhang Ning beat Maria Kristin Yulianti from Indonesia? on Friday at the women's singles semifinals, securing the gold of the event for China at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Chinese shuttler Zhang Ning beat Maria Kristin Yulianti from Indonesia on Friday at the women's singles semifinals, securing the gold of the event for China at the Beijing Olympic Games.[Xinhua]

Zhang beat Yulianti 21-15, 21-15. Just before the match, top seed and Zhang's teammate Xie Xingfang defeated Lu Lan, also from China, to check into the final.

"I did it! I have told myself two years ago that an Olympic gold medal was good, but securing the gold for Chinese was above all," said Zhang Ning after the match.

Zhang, 33, said she was exhausted after Friday's match. "I said after the previous matches that I had no problems with stamina. Actually I lied to myself so as not to lose confidence."

"How could an athlete at my age be as energetic as those in their twenties?" Zhang said.

The defending Olympic champion said she would do her best to fight Xie in the final, "so I can have some sweet memories for myself."

Yulianti said after her defeat "I was not ready and I was not brave enough to give my all."

"I tried my best, I was not tired but I couldn't do anything because Zhang Ning had anticipated all my shots," the Indonesian said.

Yulianti will compete for the bronze against Lu Lan from China. "This is my first Olympics and I thank God for the experience," Yulianti said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)