By QING QI

Yao Ming has become the media focus.

ON making his debut at the 8th National Games in 1997, Yao Ming was a big hit. At a height of 2.26 meters, he had a promising hook shot, fluidity, and speed. He is considered a basketball genius by those in the know. Today, Yao Ming, selected No. 1 in the NBA Draft 2002, is famous throughout the world.

Coincidence

Born in Shanghai in 1980, Yao Ming, with his towering stature and unquestioning parental support, has the prerequisites perfect for a basketball player. His parents were both basketball stars in the early 1970s, his father, 2.08-meter-tall Yao Zhiyuan, having been a top player in the Shanghai men's basketball team, and mother, Fang Fengdi, at 1.88 meters, who was captain of the Chinese women's basketball team.

Yao's first contact with basketball did not leave him with a very positive impression. During a game in grade three of his primary school, the teacher asked who could shoot from the foul line. "Yao Ming," was the unanimous response. "This made me very proud at that time, but one of my classmates did better than me, and this remained a sore point for some time," said Yao Ming with a wry smile. "Such was my first close contact with basketball."

Yaoming's height gained him entry into the Shanghai Juvenile Sports School water polo team, but it was, ironically, his tallness that made coordination with fellow team members difficult. He then switched to the basketball team.

Tempering

On entering Juvenile Sports School at the age of 12, Yao Ming began to live the life of an athlete: one of monotonous routine, but imbued with vitality.

In 1994, his sterling performance gained Yao Ming a transfer from Shanghai Xuhui District Juvenile Amateur Sports School to the Shanghai Youth Team, and the supervision of coaches Chen Dechun and Wang Qun. "At that time, I trained four times a day -- a total of 10 hours. In order to help me master the basic skills, Mr. Wang was very strict. If I slackened my pace, he would punish me." Even talking about it reactivates Yao Ming's lingering fears, because although the young Yao Ming understood that this was all for his own good, his youth generally inclined him towards taking it easy.

"I could not be lazy under my coach's watchful eyes. According to the Chinese Basketball Association standard, I should be able to run 3,200 meters in 18 minutes, but with my coach's rigorous training, I can do it in 14 minutes," said Yao Ming.

Yao Ming expresses heartfelt gratitude to his coaches, as it was their rigor that shaped his mastery of basic skills that led to his later brilliance.

In 1997, and at a height of 2.12 meters, 18-year-old Yao Ming joined the Shanghai Sharks. This marked the beginning of his professional basketball career. Since then, Yao Ming has shone. In the technical analysis of that season, the number of his blocks came second only to Wang Zhizhi of the Bayi Rockets, and the same year he won the Sportsmanship Award. More important still, Yao Ming has developed a deep love for basketball and is completely devoted to the game.

Pain and Injury

Blocking a shot.

Along with passion and vitality, sports also entail pain and injury. When grabbing for a rebound during a league match held in 1998, the forward of the opposing team stepped on and fractured Yao Ming's left foot. Yao Ming had no choice but to cease training and be suspended from play.

"My foot was placed in a cast for one and a half months, and it was difficult to walk, let alone run and jump." This accident caused Yao Ming's team to lose several matches in the following league season.

Yao Ming continued training by exercising his upper limbs and practicing ball-control, and was able to pinpoint the reason for his injury -- lack of strength.

The injury did not, however, demoralize Yao Ming, and he talked and laughed as before, joking about his foot, which was encased in over five kilograms of plaster cast.

Turning Point

Having weathered stringent preparation, the turning point in Yao Ming's life came when he joined the National Youth Basketball Team. This entailed going to France with two of his team members, and attending the European basketball training camp. One week of training not only broadened his vision, but also helped him gain confidence. Having learned so much from his international contemporaries, Yao Ming is optimistic about the future, his goal being "To be the best center forward in China."

In 1998, Yao Ming went to the USA to attend the Nike Juvenile Basketball Summer Camp. His two 3-pointer left a deep impression on Michael Jordan. "Why not join the NBA; you can play the center forward with the Chicago Bulls," said Jordan with a smile, patting Yao Ming on the shoulder. From then on, all Yao Ming's ambitions fused into joining the NBA, and at the same time, the American NBA had its eyes on him.

Over the past few years, difficulties and hardships have helped Yao Ming grow from a rookie player into China's No. 1 center forward. As a member of the Chinese Men's Basketball Team, he has participated in nearly all international competitions, including the 1998 Asian Games, 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the 2001 Universiade, and the East Asian Games. He has, In addition, distinguished himself assisting the Sharks in winning the CBA final championship.

Yao Ming is now to play as No. 11 in the Houston Rockets. Yao considers number 11 as auspicious, as to him it symbolizes smoothness and success.

On being asked by a CCTV reporter about his NBA career objectives, Yao Ming said, "Apart from Iverson and Duncan, few No.1 selected in the NBA drafts have given an outstanding performance. To improve my skills, I must set myself exacting targets. It doesn't matter whether I win the final championship or not. As long as I have tried my best, I will have no regrets."