JINHUA, East China, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Double Olympic champion Chen Zhong was awarded a special trophy on Friday by Chinese Taekwondo Association for her individual achievement.

    She became the first Chinese taekwondist to clinch a Olympic title by winning women's 67kg at the Sydney Games in 2000, merely five years after she started the sport.

    "It's a great honor," the 24-year-old said here after receiving the crystal trophy at the tenth anniversary party for Chinese taekwondo development.

    Chen is still recovering from her knee operation last year and will not compete in the 2006 National Championships, which kicked off earlier on Friday.

    China have captured a total of three Olympic taekwondo gold medals since the sport was formally introduced into the Sydney Games. Chen successfully defended her title in Athens and her compatriot Luo Wei struck the women's -67kg gold.

    "The national team was founded only ten years ago, and I'm happy to see that we could make such rapid progress,"said Chen.

    The same award also went to Chinese head coach Chen Liren, who was one of the founders of the national team and steered Chen and Luo to the Olympic glory. Enditem