China's 68-year-old legendary boxing coach Zhang Chuanliang trains team for Tokyo 2020
Updated 19:10, 19-May-2020
Sports Scene
01:02

China have secured six places in boxing at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics which is due to kick off in July next year. China's boxing legendary coach Zhang Chuanliang, who has been guiding the national team since 1998, continues his work at the age of 68.

Also the president of the Chinese Boxing Association, Zhang coached China's first ever boxing Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming, who first won a bronze medal at Athens 2004, a gold medal at Beijing 2008 and another gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

Over the years, Zhang has developed a system for Chinese boxing techniques. However, he has always emphasized the importance of putting boxing techniques into practice.

Zhang Chuanliang coaching China's national boxing team during the team's winter training ahead of the 2012 London Olympics in Hainan, China's southernmost province, January 28, 2012. /VCG

Zhang Chuanliang coaching China's national boxing team during the team's winter training ahead of the 2012 London Olympics in Hainan, China's southernmost province, January 28, 2012. /VCG

"To practice is the most important thing, as new theories cannot help you win a contest," he said, adding "All theories are there to serve the actual combat."

In March, the International Olympic Committee announced the decision to postpone 2020 Tokyo Olympics to next summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. To cope with the one-year delay, Zhang planned to work on the boxers' technical skills and improve the speed as well as strength of each athlete.

Zhang Chuanliang was coaching Zou Shiming (L) at the London 2012 Olympics, London, England, August 10, 2012. /VCG

Zhang Chuanliang was coaching Zou Shiming (L) at the London 2012 Olympics, London, England, August 10, 2012. /VCG

For the women's team, Zhang set up a training plan specially designed to exploit their potential. He hopes a scientific training plan can make steady improvements.

"At this stage, what we are trying to do is to improve and perfect the skills of the boxers, but not to change them. Because even with the one-year delay, we won't have enough time," said China's 68-year-old legendary boxing coach.