BEIJING, Aug 12:.
Tibet celebrated its first Olympic medal as 22-year-old Choeyang Kyi today won a bronze medal in the women’s 20-km race walk at the London Games.
Kyi etched her name into history as China’s first Tibetan Olympic medallist. It is a landmark achievement for the Himalayan province as Kyi grew up herding yaks on a plateau meadow, just like many other women from rural Tibet.
Singing and praying accounted for much of her spare time.
And it was not until 2008 that she got the chance to watch the Olympic Games on TV for the first time.
“I had only one thought in mind — fight! The crowds were so enthusiastic. That helped me stay in high spirits,” she told reporters after the race.
Choeyang’s parents watched their daughter make history on TV in their rural home in Haiyan county, located in the Haibei Tibetan autonomous prefecture in northwest China’s Qinghai province.
Although they were unable to understand the Mandarin-speaking commentator, Gonpo Rabten and Sonamje glued to the TV, pushing the prayer beads and chanting Buddhist sutras for her success.
When Choeyang crossed the finish line, her parents smiled, tears welling up in their eyes.
Cheers and applause could be heard breaking out in the tents that make up their herding community on the Jinyintan pasture, the Xinhua report said.
They prepared milk tea and food at home as relatives, friends and neighbours flocked to their house, bringing ceremonial white scarves to extend their greetings.
Choeyang said she has missed her parents a great deal, as she has not been home for a long time due to her training.
“My prayers go to my parents and every single one of my supporters,” she said. (PTI)
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