Ren goes down swinging

Ren Cancan lost, but she didn't feel like a loser.

Even after coming up short against British boxer Nicola Adams in the flyweight final on Thursday, Ren raised her arms, shook hands with Adams and waved to the crowd.

"I love the atmosphere in the venue even though the fans were cheering my opponent. I really enjoy the sport," the Chinese world champion said.

"She's an excellent boxer. She's very experienced. She was better than me, so when I lost to her I didn't have any regrets. In fact, I'm quite happy to lose to her because she is a great boxer.

"I lost my game, but I did not lose my confidence."

Ren's attitude is rare in a culture that places so much emphasis on winning gold medals.

Adams gave credit to Ren, who won their last two fights in world championship finals.

"She is a great fighter and we both know that when we get into the ring we are so close," she said. "It will always be a tough battle."

This year marked women's boxing's maiden voyage as an Olympic event.

"To me, it really does not matter if I win or lose when I stand in the ring in the final. It was a victory to me before the final," said Ren, whose comments about age fabrication in China stirred controversy before the bout.

"Waiting for the Olympics and being at the Olympics myself is really thrilling. I'm enjoying what the sport brings to me."

Years of training and competition are tough for Chinese athletes, especially those in non-Olympic sports.

Ren was a co-trainer for compatriot Zhang Xiyan, a professional boxer who was the national champion and world champion.

Ren said the silver belonged to all Chinese women's boxers, who had been working hard for such a moment.

"Now it's all worth it," she said. "We kept working hard in difficult times. Because of us, women's boxing will have a bright future."

Ren said she was moved by the energetic fans and hopes the sport earned some new ones.

"I saw great passion for the sport," she said. "I hope more people from around the world will support women's boxing."

Adams said she hopes her gold inspires more girls to pick up the sport.

"I would love to see more girls getting into boxing and getting into the sport," she said. "When I retire, it would be an amazing feeling if girls came up to me and said they want to achieve what I did. That would be as good as winning a gold medal.

"My message to girls taking up boxing, or any sport, is, 'If you work hard and are dedicated, anything is possible'."

chenxiangfeng@chinadaily.com.cn