Olympic weightlifting champion Tang Gonghong proved the saying "nothing is impossible" as she became a model for a Chinese portfolio company after coming back from Athens Olympic Games.

Walking along with a male model on the stage, the 120 kilogramsTang Gonghong looked shy and stiff, but she insisted the experience would give her special memory as sweet as the golden memory at the Athens Olympics.

Chinese Olympic champions were so busy attending all kinds of social activities after they brought back home the glories of 32 gold medals from Athens, and Tang choose to step onto the catwalk stage on a fashion show for Zhonshan Crown Portfolio Company Ltd..

"Being a model was just like the 'mission impossible' for a superheavy weightlifter, but now I can tell everybody that 'never say never'. I don't think it's a bad thing for me and my team. I spent most of my time in training and knew little about the outside world, so I'd like to experience other people's lives now." the 25-year-old Tang told the reporters after her fashion show.

Tang Gonghong cleared a world record weight in the women's over75kg category in Athens to present China with their fifth weightlifting gold of the Games to equal their tally at the 2000 Sydney Games, hoisting the 100th gold medal of the nation's delegation at all Olympics since 1984.

In a dramatic finale to a gripping contest, Tang raised 10kg more than anyone else and lifted a new world record weight in the clean and jerk to edge South Korean Jan Mi-Ran who seemed to have sewn up victory. Millions of Chinese people watched her unbelievable performance on TV and were impressed by Tang's power and backbone.

However, Tang was warned by her doctor when she was back in Beijing that the high blood pressure, which troubled her in Athens,might end her weightlifting career.

"I felt light-headed in Athens and the doctor advised I should have a good rest after the Games, so I returned to my hometown in Shandong province and turned down most of the invitation for social activities except this one," Tang said.

During her stay in Shandong, Weihai Sports Base, where Tang began her weightlifting career when she was a little girl, invitedher to work as coach and Tang said yes without any hesitation.

"I want to express my gratitude to my hometown especially Weihai Sports Base, so I would like to coach young girls and help them to fulfill their golden dreams just like what my coach did tome ."

"When the portfolio company asked me to be their model, I thought I could use their payment doing something for the sports base." she added.

Born in a farmer's family in Shandong province, Tang was enrolled in the provincial weightlifting team in 1996. She launched her career in style as she won overall gold medal in 1998world championships. Though she failed to make the Chinese strongwomen's squad at the Sydney Games, she had the Athens Olympics in sight.

"The coaching work is just a part-time job, and it doesn't meanI am considering the retirement. On the contrary, I am going to store up energy and win my second gold medal in 2008 Beijing Olympics. It will be an exceedingly cherished and unforgettable honour."

"Everything is going on quite well about my physical condition.I will never leave weightlifting, which is my real showing stage,"she said.
 
Editor: Wing