Heavyweight judo queen becomes national games champion

Olympic and world champion Tong Wen eventually fulfilled her dream of winning a National Games title.

Tong, 30, was awarded an ippon to beat Li Yang, from the Liberation Army and 10 years younger, in women' s +78kg final on Wednesday.

Tong, about to get married in October, was ecstatic about the overdue victory. The woman who tips the scales at 128kg thumped the mat with both fists.

"I am about to get married. This is really the best gift," said the Tianjin native who is going to have the wedding in her hometown on October 5.

Tong finished third and second in 2001 and 2005 National Games respectively. In 2009, the Beijing Olympic champion was so in her prime that the victory was almost certain until a back strain forced her out of the national multi-sport meet.

With this title, Tong completed a "grand slam" of Olympic Games, world championships, Asian Games, Asian championships, National Games and national championships gold medals.

"I did not realized this until someone told me this. I want to thank everyone who has supported me all the way," she said. "This is how I repay them."

Tong was banned by the International Judo Federation for two years in 2010 when she tested positive for clenbuterol during the 2009 world championships.

She successfully appealed against her ban in 2011 and went on to earn a qualification for the London Olympics in 2012.

But she was disappointed in London with a bronze, which prompted her to stay on for another four years to Rio Games in 2016.

It is a daunting task for a thirty-something judoka to keep best shape.

"When I look back, I see a bumpy road behind me. I have been through a lot of difficulties," she said. "With age growing, I need to rest longer to regain my strength. It has become more difficult to win."

But growing older also has a silver lining.

"I am able to better communicate and cooperate with my coach and has more systematic training," she added.