019SPORT – GRIT AND GRACE

Chang Yuan claimed the first-ever Olympic women’s boxing title in Paris this summer, beating Turkiye’s Hatice Akbas with a unanimous decision to claim gold in the 54kg division.

Chang Yuan claimed the first-ever Olympic women’s boxing title in Paris this summer, beating Turkiye’s Hatice Akbas with a unanimous decision to claim gold in the 54kg division.

Chang Yuan claimed the first-ever Olympic women’s boxing title in Paris this summer, beating Turkiye’s Hatice Akbas with a unanimous decision to claim gold in the 54kg division.

With glitter nails, natural makeup and a sleek, high ponytail, Chang Yuan’s everyday life provides a striking contrast to her in-ring personality – perhaps best remembered for letting out a triumphant, skyward roar after winning the gold of 54 kg for women at the Olympic Games in Paris. Play this summer.

With a clear unanimous decision against Turkiye’s Hatice Akbas, Chang captured China’s first-ever Olympic women’s boxing title. “Winning this gold medal has been a huge encouragement for me personally and a major boost for the promotion of boxing as a sport,” Chang said in a recent interview.

“Chinese boxing has made history this time, achieving its best ever results at the Paris Olympics with three gold and two silver medals. The rising trend of Chinese boxing is palpable and I hope it continues to improve,” she added to.

However, the road to Olympic gold was full of challenges. The semi-final against Pang Chol-mi from DPR Korea was what she called “the toughest match”.

“Mentally it was quite a challenge, as Pang has been a rival for a long time. We seem to have an almost magnetic connection and face each other at virtually every major match.”

When she faced her again in Paris, following Chang’s win at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and a defeat at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, the Chinese fighter admitted he was nervous. “Both the coach and I had thoroughly analyzed my opponent, but I was quite worried at the time. After watching the footage the night before our meeting, I couldn’t sleep. My mind was like a film reel, endlessly repeating how to respond,” Chang revealed.

“Once I stepped into the ring, it was just me and my determination. I fought like crazy in that match, completely immersed in my own world,” the 27-year-old said. “While I was in the ring, my mind was clear and I could remember the coach’s strategies. But once the match was over, I couldn’t remember anything.”

Ultimately, Chang advanced to the finals with a narrow 3-2 split decision. “It was the most intense nervousness I have experienced in my fifteen years of boxing.”

Born into a Chinese martial arts family, Chang was introduced to boxing at the age of 12 and quickly transitioned from taekwondo to the ring because she thought “boxing was so cool”. Chang showed tremendous promise early in her career, and her rise was no accident. “Growing up, winning felt attainable, almost like I was destined for greatness,” she says.

As she rose through the ranks, Chang first gained recognition on the international stage at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, where she took home gold. This victory helped cement her ambition to one day stand atop the Olympic podium.

“I’d rather tell the whole world that I want to compete in the Olympics than keep it a secret. Announcing it was both pressure and motivation,” she recalls.

Chang attended the Rio Olympics as sparring partner of London silver medalist Ren Cancan and made her Olympic debut in Tokyo in the 51kg category – a strong tradition in Chinese women’s boxing.

The pressure to perform and achieve her personal goal of winning gold was enormous. The emotional toll was heavy after the Tokyo Olympics, where she did not advance to the semifinals, and Chang even considered quitting the sport. “There was a period where I thought I might give up.”

“It felt like a huge setback. I wasn’t just disappointed in myself; I felt like I had let down everyone who believed in me,” she admitted. During this introspective period, Chang took time to reassess her motivations and reaffirm her commitment to boxing.

When Chang returned to the national team after her sabbatical, she found renewed energy and focus. Under the guidance of new Cuban coaches, who introduced a rigorous training regimen, she stepped up her preparations for the Paris Olympics. “They trained us hard and taught us to embrace fatigue as a form of growth,” Chang said, illustrating her transformative experience.

Amid the grueling practices and competitions, it was the surrounding community that kept Chang grounded. From her fellow athletes to the coaching and medical staff, the support system created an environment where vulnerability was met with encouragement. “On the national team, you are more than just an athlete; you become a family,” Chang noted.

As she balances her life as an Olympic champion, Chang is eager to give back to the sport that defined her life. With initiatives such as ‘Boxing into Schools’ she wants to inspire young talent and promote boxing among children, because it ‘feels like my responsibility’.

In addition to her dedication to the sport, Chang has gracefully embraced her identity outside the ring. “People often think of me as an athlete, but I’m also a woman who enjoys the simple pleasures in life: shopping, dressing up and being with friends,” she revealed with a smile.

Looking ahead, Chang expressed her desire to compete in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where she hopes to defend her title. “If I get the chance to compete and defend my crown, I promise I will give it everything I have. I am ready for the challenge,” she said.