China's Wang Lijing won the country's third judo gold in women's -57kg division on Monday at the Beijing Paralympics after beating defending champion Ramona Brussig by ippon.
Inspired by the thundering cheers of more than 6,000 home fans, the 19-year-old Wang, a student learning massage at a school for blind and deaf in north China's Tianjin Municipality, won her first Paralympic gold medal by pinning her Germany rival on the mat for an ippon just 46 seconds before the five-minute bout ended.
"I managed to stay calm throughout out the match, but now, I'm so thrilled to win the gold medal and I want to dedicate it to my families, my coach, my teammates and my teachers," said Wang.
Wang was born to be vision-impairment and she started to training for judo in 2003.
The excited girl had no idea that all her school teachers actually travelled from Tianjin by train to support her in the final and they were expecting Wang to bring back a gold to celebrate the Teacher's Day on Friday.
"I think this the best gift for my teachers, who always care about me as my families."
Brazilian Daniele Silva and Maria Monica Merenciano from Spain won the bronze of the class.
Another Chinese athlete Xu Zhilin captured a silver in men's -73 kg class. Mexican Eduardo Avila won the gold, while Fabian Ramirez from Argentina and Sergii Sydorenk from Ukraine took the bronze.
Xu, Athens bronze medallist in men's -66 kg category, was so close to realize his golden dream at the homeland as he almost dominated the earlier time at the final with fierce attack. However, the Mexican was patient enough to throw Xu for ippon in his second attack.
The heat of Monday's competition came in the final of men's -81kg division where defending champion Cyril Jonard meet Cuban Isao Cruz. The Cuban finally won the match in overtime, while Jonard, who is both deaf and vision impairment, won the most applauds from the spectators.
Jonard was awarded a knigthood in the Legion d'honneur, the highest decoration in France, by French President Jacques Chirac after winning the gold in Athens, but he said in sign language that he was satisfied with the silver.
"I came here for the gold. To some extent, there is some regrets, but it (the silver) is a beautiful medal and it's a beautiful experience in Beijing."
The 32-year-old said he would go back to France to continue his both judo role for children and athlete career at tatami.
"I have equal footing in the roles of coach and athlete. I want to share what I have learned from my rivals with my students," he said.
Jorge Lencina from Argentina and Venezuelan Reinaldo Carvallo shared the bronze of the class.
Earlier in the evening, Venezuelan Naomi Soazo set a new record of wrapping up the competition by winning the gold of women's -63 kg division within three seconds.
The 20-year-old accomplished the "mission almost impossible" by throwing Spaniard Marta Arce for ippon. Her attack was quick that the Spaniard was not even ready to start off.
French Angelique Quessandier and Russian Madina Kazakova shared bronze medal of the category.
(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2008)