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China's Lu Chunlong competes during trampoline men's final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. [Xinhua]
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Chinese male trampolinist Lu Chunlong whistled to the host nation's second trampoline gold medal Tuesday at the Beijing Olympics.
Lu took the gold in 41 points, followed by Burnett Jason from Canada, in 40.70. Lu's teammate Dong Dong won the bronze in 40.60.
On Monday, Lu's female counterpart Wenna already won China's first Olympic trampoline gold medal.
There are two trampoline gold medals on offer at the Beijing Olympics.
Lu, first in the qualifications, took to the floor as the last of the 8 finalists. Before cheering home crowd, he executed high-flying somersaults and twists and scored his winning mark at a difficulty of 16.2 points.
Lu whistled all the way during his routine. He explained later that whistling is his unique way of adjusting his breath.
"Other trampolinists also have their own way to adjust their breath. They do not make sound, but I do," he said.
Seeing teammate Dong placed behind Burnet Jason, Lu said he felt nervous as he was his country's only hope for the gold medal.
"Our female counterparts already won China's first Olympic trampoline gold. I think we cannot lose to them," said Lu, a gold medalist in five World Cup competitions.
"I was surprised when I saw Dong's score was the second high and I felt a little bitter nervous," the 19-year-old said. But he said he overcame his nerves after two flips. "I knew I cannot afford any mistakes, so I just went ahead."
Burnett Jason started with the highest difficulty value of 16.8 points, but ended second with lower execution mark.
"I was hoping for a 41.0. It would have been nice, but I got a 40.7. I knew it was beatable by the Chinese because they have beaten that in previous competitions," he said.
But he said he was still happy with a silver. He said Lu was extremely consistent and deserved the gold medal.
Dong, the silver medalist in the 2007 world championships, said he was quite satisfied with his performance.
"I have no regret. I enjoy my Olympic experience," he said. He said his score being not so high may be because of the height of his maneuvers.
Trampoline made its Olympic debut in Sydney in 2000. In the Athens Olympics in 2004, China's female trampolinist Huang Shanshan won China's first Olympic trampoline medal, a bronze.