Wheelchair fencer Zhang gives himself A plus after winning two silvers in fever

Source: Xinhua | 09-15-2008 20:29

BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Wheelchair fencer Zhang Lei of China admitted that there was some regrets after winning two silver medals in two days, but he gave himself "A plus" as he has braved a fever since the event began.

Zhang, 26, winning silver medals in men's foil Category A on Sunday, lost to his teammate Tian Jianquan 15-11 in men's epee final on Monday, missing the chance to turn the medal color.

Zhang suffered from the sudden fever on Sunday morning, and he felt less energetic to compete in the foil.

A silver medal did not make him feel better and he spent Sunday night in hospital, barely getting back to the Paralympic Village on Monday morning.

Earlier in the day, his coach and team leader tried to persuade him to give up Monday's competition, but he refused.

"I would rather exhaust myself on the piste than lie in bed watching others play. I've been training so hard for so long just for these two days, so I can't give up," he explained.