【澄清唬爆米花教室:南麻臨朐戰役】
前文提到 蔣公與國府國防部一直低估共軍實力,最大的原因來自高估共軍損失。國軍數次兵敗時,或許出於卸責、宣傳或被共諜迷惑等因素,都過度高估圍殲國軍主力之共軍所付出的損失。
事實上幾次國軍主力被殲滅,初期共軍固然死傷慘重,但後期被圍國軍因缺水致士卒崩潰(如孟良崮之役)、友軍叛變形成缺口(如濟南之役)、彈藥耗盡(魯西南羊山集之役)、糧秣斷絕、士氣崩潰等原因,共軍後期是快速取勝並俘獲大量殘兵。
所以當 蔣公決定繼續進攻沂蒙山區,乃肇因於高估共軍損失,認為共軍也僅剩口氣,當打擊到底,才會電令胡璉將軍依原計畫進佔南麻。
整11師依胡璉將軍規劃,以高莊、北劉家莊、石錢山、吳家官莊為主陣地,另在歷山、塔山、中馬頭崮、邊冒山等地建有外圍據點,並在附近派出警戒部隊伸至據點附近村莊及各小山頭觀測點。師部及第十一旅守往南麻城,第十八旅駐南麻以西五里的高莊,擔任南麻以西外圍據點守備任務;第118駐南麻東北的吳家官莊,擔任南麻以東外圍據點守備任務。
共軍經過將近3周的整備後,華東野戰軍司令部決定以三個縱隊主攻南麻。一個縱隊及渤海軍區三個團打援。具體部署是:韋國清的第二縱隊由沂源縣三岔店東南出擊,一部沿悅莊向儒林集攻擊;主力沿南北鮑莊、青龍山向沙溝、吳家官莊、南麻攻擊。王必成、江渭清的第六縱隊主力由銅陵關西北地區經石橋、小水向中馬頭崮、北劉家莊、南麻攻擊;以一個師繞過中馬頭崮,控制鳳凰山、桑家峪一線,阻擊南麻可能向南突圍之國軍,並配合友軍阻擊由大張莊北攻的國軍整六十四師第一五九旅。許世友、林浩的第九縱隊由西、北兩面進攻。以一個師進至南麻、魯村之間,斷敵西退之賂,向西警戒魯村,向東控制田莊、北埠東以北高地,進而向東攻擊南麻;主力則自三岔店經南北流水莊向北麻、南麻進攻。
負責打援的成鈞、趙啟民第七縱隊由東里店以北地區進至孝村、南北安樂一帶,以一個師控制青泉山、九頂蓮花山、於家崮、狼茂頂等地;另以一部配合渤海軍區地方武裝三個團,控制東里店以北前後大泉莊、石格地區,阻擊國軍整編第九、第二十五、第六十四師北援,保障主攻縱隊側翼安全。
除此之外,魯中軍區兩個團在魯村以西起鉗製作用,另外三個團堅持魯中山區作戰;共軍軍區後勤監護營第一連繼續堅守蒙陰、岱崮,吸引國軍南線兵力。膠東、渤海軍區各以一部兵力繼續圍困昌樂、濰縣之國軍整編第八師外圍據點.配合南麻戰場作戰。
為防止南線國軍第二十五、第六十四、第九師迅速向南麻靠攏,華東野戰軍司令部電令各部於7月17日立即分路開進。但這天如往常下起暴雨,共軍各部行動均被延遲,直到黃昏時分,第2、第6、第9縱隊才完成對南麻整編第十一師的戰役包圍。
1947年7月17日晚,南麻戰鬥打響。戰役一開始即異常激烈,解放軍三個縱隊在特別縱隊部的炮火掩護下,開始發起共軍典型致勝的短促突擊(見附註)。但國軍當面工事竟然有三層鹿砦,導致短促突擊變泥濘中的緩慢推進,加上國軍準備的棉花球照明,共軍的突擊變漫長的消耗推進。18日晨,第九縱隊主力攻占荊山,正向歷山、永興官莊、塔山進攻,第二十六師正向上下豆腐峪以南高地進攻;第六縱隊一部控制鳳凰山陣地,主力進至重喜官莊、埠下莊一線,並向中馬頭崮、太平頂攻擊;第二縱隊進達埠襯南北一線,除以一部配合第六縱隊攻擊太平頂外,主力繼續向西攻擊前進。但這些僅只是國軍外圍警戒陣地,發現遭遇共軍猛攻後,胡璉開始不斷向上級求援示警,但 蔣公初期誤判這只是共軍佯攻,胡璉上級范漢傑將軍與顧祝同司令也並未發現這是共軍主力行動。
7月18日一天後,!!解放軍三個縱隊已占領了大部分國軍外圍警戒陣地,但整11師也全體進入戰鬥狀態中。加上因大雨不停,解放軍炸碉堡的炸藥包開始大量失效,又因道路泥濘,重炮無法變換陣地,。而國軍整十一師則開始憑藉優勢堡壘陣固守,導致共軍進展不只緩慢,傷亡還非常大。
7月19日開始,解放軍各縱隊為加緊攻勢,開始對全面進攻:西線第九縱隊向高莊、南北埠東、田莊,南線第六縱隊向中馬頭崮、連冒山、古泉莊,東線第二縱隊向吳家官莊、石錢山等陣地發起猛烈攻擊。從西、北兩個方向進攻的九縱,以先頭第二十六師第七十七、第七十八團,於攻占荊山泉、480高地等警戒陣地後,直撲魯村以東,高莊以西的崮山。由於崮山扼守著南麻西通魯村、萊蕪的公路,非常重要,由在章縫集之役表現甚佳的第十八旅工兵營(營長孫敬三)據守。19日清晨,解放軍第七十八團攻擊崮山,遇到頑強抵抗,經過整整一日血戰,才以重大的傷亡代價(第一營營長重傷,第三營營長陣亡)攻下了崮山,十八旅工兵營幾乎全員殉國,營長孫敬三逃回後,被胡璉下令槍決(要撤你報上級奉命後帶大家一起撤,要死你要跟士卒一起死,沒有營長獨活其他殉國),各尉校官均駭然,無不死力抵抗(金門戰役,胡璉司令也授權高魁元將軍斃掉一個膽怯的連長)。九縱二十五師負責進攻第十八旅旅部所在地高莊,並命令該師主力共軍第七十三團攻占高莊西部群山,師特務營也配屬第七十三團指揮,攻擊高莊西北的丘嶺,以配合第七十三團戰鬥。同時命令第七十五團向鳳凰翅、滄涼山、田莊、南布東一線進攻,以策應七十三團的攻擊。第七十三團於19日18時攻占北布東後,向高莊西山子母堡群(第十八旅一個加強營據守)發起進攻,攻擊一天,收效不大。到次日傍晚,七十三團第一、三營改以單人爆破的戰術,逐次拔除國軍西山子母堡群,最終占領該處。共軍第七十五團則在兩日激戰後,終於奪取田莊、南埠東兩個山頭,但國軍高莊西北的丘嶺陣地卻始終屹立不搖。
從北路攻進的共軍第九縱隊第二十七師第八十一團,於7月19日從三岔店、車場、土門、菜園、彩班峪一帶,直撲南麻北部制高點歷山。歷山南面腳下就是國軍十一師部駐地南麻,由一一八旅第五十四團第三營據守。八十一團經一夜激戰,奪取了歷山,但次日即遭遇國軍整十一師的連續逆襲,到20日晚,共軍被迫放棄歷山,向西魚台撤退。
南線共軍第六縱隊及第七縱隊一部,冒雨向沂河岸邊攻進,準備強渡東西橫貫的沂河,進攻南麻。第六縱隊第十八師被據守河南岸柴糧山的國軍十八旅五十三團第三營(欠一個連)所阻,遭遇重大傷亡但無進展。
共軍第七縱隊第五十七團用繩索牽引強渡沂河,但繩索被浪頭沖斷,大部人馬被洪水捲走。第六縱隊第十七師第五十一團則繞道連夜翻過險峻的燕崖南山,子19日凌晨2時抵達沂河南岸南劉家莊。並乘隙強渡1000米的沂河,攻占北岸的北劉家莊山嶺制高點,爾後向周圍擴展,控制了一里縱深、一里半寬的陣地,切斷了南麻十一師師部與高莊第十八旅旅部的聯繫。當時胡璉將軍決斷力刻逆襲,在空中掩護下,從兩面向共軍第五十一團逆襲,到當夜共軍一度被打開的缺口被國軍封閉。
&之後包括金門戰役、大二膽戰役,都可發現與其他國軍不同,胡璉將軍部都有主動逆襲的精神,孫罡、耿將華兩位時任營長的將軍,在接獲敵情後主動逆襲,是據守海岸的青年軍瀕臨崩潰,國軍卻得以封閉缺口的主因;徐蚌會戰國軍未被全殲,也是第十八軍騎兵團及第十八軍第四十九師,在接獲國防部電令後,依過往經驗將在外君命有所不受,故意延遲行動,反而沒被包圍,之後發起逆襲,救出胡璉將軍與突圍裝甲兵。
第六縱隊的十六師四十六團主攻馬頭崮連冒山,該處僅由200人據守,但該處地勢險要,三面是陡坡,北面靠沂河,為南麻師部南面的屏障。但共軍四十六團進攻兩日,竟無進展,調來剛繳獲的兩門重炮參戰才攻陷陣地。經三天四夜血戰至7月20日,西線共軍第九縱隊才占領崮山、高莊西山,南北埠東、田莊、水興官莊,並一度攻入第十八旅旅部駐地高莊;南線第六縱隊攻占馬頭崮,並一度攻過沂河;東線第二縱隊攻占沙溝、澇坡河,進至吳家官莊外圍,進展不大而傷亡不小。
但國軍方面也逼近力竭,彈藥也消耗殆盡。胡璉將軍因此嚴令所有傳令、幕僚都交出彈藥,提供前線。◎還好最後空軍和陳納德將軍的航空公司空投來彈藥。 21日,國軍上級終於理解共軍這不是佯攻而是主攻,下令附近3師來援,胡璉將軍也開始進行反衝擊,國軍十八旅成功反衝擊回高莊西山。共軍九縱七十三團立刻重新組織兵力火力反擊,以慘重傷亡再一次奪回西山高地。此役中後來成為江澤民時代國放部長的遲浩田組織營部勤雜人員一起上陣地,他自己也負重傷。
但對解放軍而言,壞消息不止於此,整編第二十五師(師長黃百韜將軍)、第六十四師(師長黃國樑將軍)來的又快又急,不像其他躊躇再三的國軍,很快突破解放軍阻援陣地,攻占于家崮和牛心崮;整編第九師攻至高莊附近;萊蕪整編第五師也逼近南麻;昌濰的整編第八師也正向臨朐開進中。鑒於國軍各部援軍已近,而南麻外圍的陣地尚未全部攻占,粟裕於21日黃昏下令撤圍,各縱隊分別向臨朐縣以南及西南地區轉移。22日,整十一師開始追擊,至悅莊以西之北張良、北石臼之線,和北援的整編第九師會合。由於泥濘、補給缺乏及河流暴漲,共軍又平添許多損失。
而李彌將軍的整八師也進入臨朐,這場共軍最大敗仗第二階段即將打響。
■共軍會接連失敗的另一原因就是毛澤東在當年6月下旬為快速擴張戰果,下令山東共軍分兵攻擊魯西與魯南,這導致南麻戰役高峰時,共軍竟無預備隊可茲投入,導致缺口被國軍封閉。
國共大決戰時,通常是共軍較準確地投入預備隊。使承擔共軍主攻壓力的當面部隊,往往因一波又一波接連苦戰耗盡彈藥,傷員無法運送,尚完好的士兵無法休息而最終崩潰。
☆之後黃百韜將軍晉升司令的黃泛區大捷,整11師增援也是又快又急,就是為了報恩。
多年後共軍文件承認減員5萬餘人,但鑒於國共內戰期間,共軍往往對主戰場部對採取隨打隨補政策,還不計入民工傷亡,國軍又是掌控戰場一方,因此國防部判斷共軍傷亡7萬餘人之數目在這一戰役中反常地非常可信(掌握戰場之一方,評估對方傷亡較可信,另外胡璉將軍並無誇大戰果之惡名)。也因此役,日後毛澤東單獨提到整11師之電文竟有7篇之多。
◇短促突擊:共軍容易被敵人抹黑的人海戰術,核心內容是短促突擊:就是共軍先潛行到目視觀測距離邊緣後,趁夜或趁清晨日光掩護,在炮火下大部散兵猛衝至敵陣,投擲炸藥包、手榴彈或用無後座力炮打入敵工事口。前鋒還包括滾雷英雄(包毛氈快速滾過地雷引爆以清雷)
附錄:
南麻戰役之所以重要,是因為國共內戰9成5的戰役,都是國軍在共軍代價不大的情況下損兵折將。短短4年間500多萬國軍被共軍殲滅。極少戰役是國軍損失有限而共軍損失慘重,共軍還因此丟失地盤。這種解放軍罕見的大敗,除了南麻臨朐戰役,就是傅作義領導下的大同集寧-張家口戰役。
在國軍一片敗聲連連之中,胡璉將軍領導的整11師與傅作義的35、43軍得以勝多敗少,固有很多原因,包括治軍甚嚴、訓練紮實,但當時國軍普遍面黃肌瘦,整11師與35、43軍士兵卻至少看來還能吃飽(雖然上海與南京桌上仍有大閘蟹與白蘭地,將官高官普遍有納妾或在大城甚至海外置產)。
再加上國軍內普遍因各種弊端與傾軋,還有關係考慮,賞罰不明,士氣自然渙散。而整11師與35、43軍士卒多半在勝利之時能確實拿到蔣公親令頒發的獎金。更重要地,對於怯懦卸責的幹部,胡璉將軍與傅作義司令一向能嚴加裁汰。
在國民黨抗議陳菊人事意圖佔領立法院不到24小時就失敗的今天,不難理解國民黨何以落入如此田地。
晉峰青年軍 在 葉姵延-黑妹(Yip Pui Yin) Facebook 的精選貼文
Hong Kong Stories (香港故事)
https://www.facebook.com/hongkongstories2015/posts/1162049017203767:0
我是姵延,香港出生和長大,小時候經常參加戶外活動,皮膚曬得較為黝黑,因此教練喚我「黑妹」。於二零一二年入讀香港教育大學健康教育科系學士課程,現在是香港羽毛球隊運動員,曾三次代表香港參加奥林匹克運動會。
我性格比較好動,從小便學習足球、籃球和跑步,當然羽毛球也是其中一項。
自小家境貧窮,曾經在木屋居住過大約兩年,後來搬到村屋居住。父母為了維持一家人的生活,每天都要外出工作,沒有時間照顧我們。我是返上午班,下午放學後便與弟弟一起到社區托管中心,那裡有導師協助我們温習和做家課,中心有一個禮堂,禮堂內有一個羽毛球場,亦有其它娛樂項目,如康樂棋和乒乓波,但我對羽毛球的興趣較大。
自小便知道家庭環境欠佳,所以學習羽毛球所需要的球拍和運動鞋,我都是選擇最廉價的「白飯魚」波鞋和普通球拍。我亦非常節儉,在外吃飯時,只需要加一元便可以選擇凍飲,我亦寧願選擇熱飲。現在很多小朋友,可以隨意購買運動裝備,有些還有私人羽毛球教練。有良好的裝備當然好,但以我的家庭環境是做不到,雖然我的環境條件欠佳,但並不重要,一切都是取決於自己的決心。
讀小學時我亦參加過校隊足球、籃球和田徑,但我最喜歡的還是羽毛球。小學四年班時,有一個機會學校帶我們到體育學院打羽毛球,看到專業的球場與學校的練習塲地很不相同,當時看到一位教練教導一名全職羽毛球男運動員練習開球和扣球,我看見他雙腳飛起的扣球動作威力很強勁,令我看到目瞪口呆,這一個動作使我產生了很大興趣,希望可以模仿和學習,很多人覺得我打羽毛球時像男運動員,就是這個小時候的經歷,造就了我現在的男性打球方式。
小四那年我本來有機會進入香港體育學院,作幾個月嘗試訓練,那時很開心,因為有專業教練和塲地。可惜在訓練期間,媽媽覺得我讀書成績差,不讓我繼續接受訓練,那時覺得有點可惜,無奈自己讀書成績差,但我並沒有放棄羽毛球,小四至小六仍然繼續打校隊。
之後入讀賽馬會體藝中學,中一時遇到一位很好的啟蒙老師,他是前香港隊羽毛球教練,他覺得我的技術不錯,認為我只在學校訓練並不足夠,希望我能夠進入體育學院接受訓練。他推薦我給當時的總教練陳智才先生,他還記起我在小學四年級時,曾經在體育學院訓練過幾個月,但後來退出。雖然他害怕花時間來訓練我,過一段時間我又再次離開,最終他仍答應讓我進入香港體育學院。
中一那年開始投身羽毛球青年軍訓練,那時並不是專注訓練羽毛球,亦會兼顧很多其他運動項目,當然羽毛球是我最喜歡和練習最多的項目,那時我較頑皮及很好動,常常不聽從教練教導,而且沒有長遠的想法,只是喜歡打羽毛球,也想不到我會代表香港參加比賽。
大約是中二那年,教練安排隊友前往中國接受訓練,有些只是小學四、五 年班學生,唯獨只有我一人留下,不能跟隨大隊。我感到很不開心,於是向教練查詢,他的理由是我打得太差。因為這一件事情激發起我的鬥志,從那時開始我不斷努力練習,在很短時間我已經可以超越了他們,同時我亦很想為羽毛球這項運動,付出更加多的努力和時間。因為一個挫折,而令到自己獲得今天的成績,感覺很奇妙,所以挫折並不是一件壞事,遇到挫折使到自己改進,願意奮鬥和努力。
中學時期我亦是田徑短跑和跳遠隊員,那時體能很差,跑一個圈已經胃痛和氣力不繼。我明白如果羽毛球要打得更加好,增強耐力是必需要的,所以我早上五、六時便起牀,在上課前跟隨田徑隊,每星期練習三次長跑,為了要令到自己的體能更上一層樓,每天有空閒時間我會跑二十六層樓梯回家和跳繩練氣力。
到了中四那年,教練主動與我聯絡,希望我考慮日後轉為一個全職運動員,他認為一個全職運動員,才可以完全投入訓練,要兼顧學業是很難達到高峰。聽了教練的說話後,我覺得很開心,因為之前的努力,已經令我獲得機會,可以真正為羽毛球運動做得更加好,甚至可以代表香港參加比賽,我亦很想跟著這條路走下去。教練建議我與家人商討後才回覆他,但我害怕與家人提出此事,因為他們希望我能夠升讀大學,將來可以找到一份理想工作。
過了大約一星期,教練問我與家人商討後的結果,得悉我的情況後,他便約了我的家人見面,沒想到教練與家人商談後,我便得到家人的支持,給我一個嘗試機會。雖然得到家人支持,但老師、同學和朋友並不支持我放棄學業,他們的想法十分正常,但那一刻無論別人怎樣反應,都沒有影響我的決定。我明白並不是每一個人都可以擁有這種機會,因此要好好地把握,運動員的最佳日子是很短暫,讀書將來可以再繼續,完成中四那年我便正式成為全職運動員。
剛開始訓練的時候,自己年紀尚小,技術水平亦不高,當時有很多師姐,還有世界排名很高的王晨,很開心身旁的隊友是很好成績的運動員,他們也是我的一個奮鬥目標。每一次訓練時我都會想著這一句金句,「要超越任可對手,要比別人付出更加多的努力」,因為我很想超越對手,除了日常正規訓練,我付出更多時間,自己加倍練習,那時真的很辛苦,沒有想過可以捱得住。我很清楚自己打羽毛球的方式,是需要速度、體能,因為是男性運動員方式,較其他人消耗體能更多,在體能方面我付出了不少努力,不放棄和堅持是很重要的動力。
任何人也會經常遇到一些困難和辛苦時刻,那時候會很容易想到放棄,但我覺得如果是自己喜歡做的事,不要輕易放棄,不想將來會後悔,只要向正面去想,永遠都會有解決辦法。
我在每一個階段都會設定一個目標,最初的目標是希望很快便可超越高水平的對手,每當達到目標時便會再定一個新的目標,不會因為沒有目標而迷失方向。正好像之前我曾經想過,無論能否獲得今屆巴西奧運的參賽資格,我都打算退役,有很多人知道消息後,問我為何突然有這一個念頭,其實我的經歷已經太多,過往比賽亦獲得一些成績,如二零零九年在香港舉辦的東亞運動會贏得金牌,二零一二年倫敦奧運進入八強,世界女單排名,最高時曾排行第八位等。
能夠第三次代表香港參加奧運,已經不是一件容易的事,賽後隊友鼓勵我,「沒有女單羽毛球運動員可以連續參加三屆奧運,但妳可以做到」,這一句話的確很感人,因此我領悟到,我還可以繼續參與比賽,不要把得失看得太重,不要為今次未能晉級而傷心難過,令自己有放棄的念頭。
我感覺到自己已達不到從前的水準,而且好像有點下滑,我對勝負得失看得很重,雖然要求高並不是一件壞事,但往往因為輸了比賽感到失望,覺得受到了很大的挫折,因而產生放棄的念頭。很幸運,後來得到教練和隊友的鼓勵,加上自己的正面想法,我已找到了一個新目標,令自己可以重新振作起來。
我能夠繼續這項運動,已經值得慶幸,有些人想做也不能,因為他們可能為了生活而放棄,或是身體殘障問題想打羽毛球也不能,但我現在擁有的已經比其他人好,最少我現時沒有傷患和仍然有體能,還可以繼續打羽毛球,我不應因為勝負得失看得太重而放棄。我今年二十九歲,全職打羽毛球已經十三年,年紀漸大,再過數年三十多歲的時候便會正式退役。
現在我要享受比賽過程中的樂趣,將來還有沒有突破或更好的成績,我不會知道,也不再想猜測和考慮太多,會盡量享受比賽過程。我已將目標放在二零二零年東京奧運,但我亦不知道那時能否達到水準參加,這是我另一個夢想,如果能夠第四次參加奧運,就是向著另一個不可能的目標進發,能夠參加三次奧運已經是一個不可能,我只想朝著另一個不可能進發。人生永遠都會有高低潮,也是人生必經階段,在低潮中尋找重新振作的方法,堅持繼績努力,無論得失與否,我會享受打羽毛球的人生。
I am Pui Yin. I was born and raised in Hong Kong. When I was young, I often took part in extra-curricular activities. My skin color got quite tanned from the outdoor activities so my coach called me ‘Dark girl’. In 2012, I entered the Hong Kong Sports Institute and studied a degree in Health Education. I am a Hong Kong Badminton Team player and a three-time Hong Kong Badminton Olympian.
My personality is rather outgoing. I used to learn soccer when I was young. I also learned basketball and did a lot of running. Of course, I also played badminton. I hail from a poor grassroots family. I once lived in a wooden house for around two years. I later lived in a village house. To support the family, my parents had to go out to work every day. They did not have time to take care of me. I studied in the morning class. When I got off school, I would go to the community care center. There were teachers there to take care of my studying and homework. There was a hall at the center and in the hall there was a badminton court. There were also other leisure activities. For instance, there were chess and table tennis but I was more interested in badminton.
When I was young, I long knew that my family environment was underwhelming. That was why I chose the cheapest shoes and badminton rackets. I chose plain shoes and a regular racket. I am also very thrifty. Whenever I ate out, I would choose hot drinks because I had to pay an extra dollar for cold drinks. As of now, there are lots of children who can easily buy sporting gear. Some may even have private badminton coaches. Possessing good sporting gear is of course good but it was not possible coming from my family background. Although my family environment was below par, it was not important. Many things depend on your will.
When I was in primary school, I also played in the school soccer team, basketball team as well as, the track and field team. But I still loved badminton the most. When I was in Primary four, there was an occasion when the school brought us to the Sports Institute to play badminton. At a professional court, I found that it was very different from the training grounds in school. At that time, I saw a coach teaching a fulltime professional male badminton player. When he served and smashed, he jumped way up high. It was an extremely powerful imagery. I was shocked beyond belief. The action evoked in me a great deal of interest. I wanted to imitate and learn his move. A lot of people feel that when I play badminton, I play like a male athlete. I can say that my playing style today derived from what I witnessed that day when I was young.
During the year of Primary four, I initially had the chance to enter the Hong Kong Sports Institute. I undertook a few months of trial training. I was very happy at that time because there were professional coaches and a professional training environment. However, during my training, my mother felt that my academic grades were not good enough. She did not allow me to continue with the training. I felt it was a bit of a pity but it was true that my grades were suffering. But I did not give up on badminton. From Primary four to Primary six, I still continued playing in the school team.
I then attended Jockey Club Ti-I College. I came across a good and inspiring teacher when I was in Form one. He was a former Hong Kong Badminton Team coach. He felt my skills were not bad and that my school training was insufficient. He hoped that I can receive training at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. He recommended me to the Chief Coach, Chan Chi Choi. He remembered my time when I was in Primary four and my several months of training at the institute. He also remembered that I have eventually quit. Although he was worried about spending time on training me (as I might leave after a period of time), he eventually accepted me into the Sports Institute.
Starting from Form 1, I focused on playing as a youth player. At that time, I was not only focused on badminton training but would also juggle many other different sports. Of course, again, I loved badminton the most. I was rather naughty and outgoing at that time. I often did not listen to my coach’s teaching. I was also short sighted. I only loved playing badminton and could never have imagined that I could represent Hong Kong one day.
While I was in Form two, my coach arranged for me and my teammates to train in China. There were some students who were only in Primary four and five. I was the only who was not allowed to go and follow the crowd. I felt very upset so I checked with my coach. His reason was that I was playing poorly. That incident triggered me to work extremely hard. From then onwards, I trained rigorously. In a short span of time, I was able to exceed them. At the same time, I really wanted to sacrifice even more time and effort in badminton. A setback enabled me to become the person that I am today. It is a very special feeling. That is why setbacks may not necessarily be a bad thing. When you come across hard times, you can improve yourself. You will be willing to fight hard and work hard.
During secondary school, I was a short distance runner and long jumper. My fitness level was very poor at that time. After running one lap, I would have stomach aches and feel out of breath or exhausted. I understood that if I wanted to improve my badminton skills, it was important to strengthen my fitness level. That was why I would get out of bed at around five or six in the morning and join the athletics team before classes started. I would do long distance running training three times per week. To further improve my strength, I would run twenty-six floors to reach to get home and also do skipping exercises.
When I reached Form four, my coach contacted me directly. He wished that I would consider becoming a fulltime athlete later. He felt that a fulltime athlete can totally devote his or her time into training. If you need to manage your studies, you may find it difficult to reach your potential. After hearing my coach’s words, I felt very delighted because my hardwork from the past paid off: I got a chance to finally dedicate myself to badminton. I may even be able to represent Hong Kong at games. I also wanted to commit myself to walking this path. My coach suggested that I spoke to my family before getting back to him. But I was terrified of making such a suggestion to my family because they really wanted me to go to university and find an ideal job in the future.
After around a week, my coach asked me what the result was after my discussion with my family. After understanding my situation, he arranged to meet with my family. I never thought that after a discussion between my coach and my family, my family would support me and give me a chance to try things out. Although they supported me, my teachers, classmates and friends did not feel the same way because I had to quit my studies. Their thinking was very normal but at that time, no matter how people reacted, nothing was able to change my mind. I understood that not everyone had such a chance. That was why I had to grasp it. The life of a sportsman is very short. I can continue with my studies in future. After completing Form four, I became a fulltime athlete.
When I first started training, I was considerably young. My skills were also not high. At that time there were a lot of mentees and also Wang Chen who ranked highly in the world. I was very happy that there were a lot of high-achievers among my teammates. They were also competition to me. Whenever I trained, I would think of this motto: ‘In order to exceed your opponent, you must work much harder than him or her’. As I really wanted to beat my opponents, aside from normal daily training, sacrificed a lot of time on self-training. Those days were tough. I never thought I could survive those times. I was clear when it came to my personal badminton skills. I required speed and strength. As I also played like a male, I burned more energy than others. In terms of strength, I dedicated a lot of hardwork into it. To never quit and to have persistence motivated me the most. Anyone can come across difficulties and hard times and would feel like quitting but I feel that if it is something that you enjoy doing, you will not easily give up. You do not want to regret it in future. As long as you think positively, you will always find ways to solve your problems.
At every stage, I would plan a goal. The first goal was to beat high-tiered competitors in little time. Whenever I achieved my goal, I would come up with a new one. I would not lose direction because I had no goal. It was like my thoughts in the past. I thought that I would retire, whether I can make it to the Rio Olympics or not. When many people learned of the news, they asked me why I had such a thought. Actually, it was because I had too many experiences and had some achievement in previous games. For example, I won a gold medal in the Asian Games held in Hong Kong in 2009. In the 2012 London Olympics, I made it into the quarterfinals. I was once ranked the top eighth in the world, too.
To be able to represent Hong Kong for the third time at the Olympic Games is not easy. After my game, my teammates told me encouragingly that ‘no woman in the individual criteria has been able to make it into the Olympic Games three times in a row except for you.’ My teammate’s words touched me deeply. It got me thinking that I can continue competing and that I should not take winning and losing so heavily. I should not be sad because I could not further my game at this year’s Olympic Games. I should not think of quitting.
I feel that I could no longer play at the level I used to. I also think that I am losing my edge a little. I take winning and losing seriously. Although having high standards is not necessarily a bad thing, I still feel upset whenever I lose. I feel like I’ve tumbled and consequently, had thoughts of quitting. Fortunately, I later received encouragement from my teammates and coach. In addition to my positive thinking, I have found a new goal. I was able to stand up again.
My ability to continue with this sport is already a blessing in disguise. Some people who want to do the same are unable to because they need to make a living. Or they may have a disability which defers them from playing badminton. But I already have things that are better than others. At least I do not have any injuries and is still fit. I can still play badminton. I should not quit because I take winning and losing seriously. I am twenty-nine years old this year. I have played badminton professionally for thirteen years. I am getting older. After a number of years, when I am in my thirties, I will officially retire.
As of now, I should enjoy the joys of competing. I do not know whether I would excel or gain better results in the future. I also do not want to think or guess too much. I will try my best to enjoy the process of competing. My goal is to make it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games but I do not know whether I will meet the requirements by then. If I can make it to the Olympic Games for the fourth time, it will be like marching towards an impossible goal. To be able to participate in the Olympic Games for three times is already remarkable enough. I just want to reach another impossible milestone. There are always highs and lows in life. We must all go through them. You must be able to stand up while you are down and keep your head up. It does not matter whether I win or lose. What matters most is that I will continue to enjoy my badminton life.
晉峰青年軍 在 陳婉容 Sherry Facebook 的最讚貼文
想起伊朗,很少人會想到足球,但其實亞洲足球一哥不是日本,也不是南韓,而是伊朗。而伊朗足球的政治化程度更是世界第一,當北韓不見影,識睇世界盃,豈能不留意伊朗?政治和足球是我兩個長久以來的興趣,我對伊朗也有特別的感情,所以這篇寫得好開心!
陳婉容:明報星期日生活﹕邪惡軸心世界盃——伊朗的政治化足球
(按:想起伊朗,很少人會想到足球,但其實亞洲足球一哥不是日本,也不是南韓,而是伊朗。而伊朗足球的政治化程度更是世界第一,當北韓不見影,識睇世界盃,豈能不留意伊朗?政治和足球是我兩個長久以來的興趣,我對伊朗也有特別的感情,所以這篇寫得好開心!)
【明報專訊】上屆世界盃除了令鬥牛民族第一次攀上世界高峰,奠定了西班牙足球的主導地位之外,還有一些球迷難以忘記的賽事。例如北韓在小組賽中令巴西陷入苦戰,雖然最後仍然輸波,但世人無不驚訝這支來自「邪惡流氓國家」的神秘球隊,居然可以踢出如此有紀律的足球,甚至有牽制巴西的能力;場外更有話題性的是,傳聞說北韓小組賽出局,金氏狂人會將球員統統送入勞改營。今屆世界盃再不見北韓人身影,幸好「邪惡軸心」未因此缺席,今屆換上的是北韓去屆在外圍賽踢出局的另一支「邪惡」隊伍——伊朗。
雖然伊朗是亞洲足球一哥(而且國際足協排名參考價值不高),但為什麼要寫伊朗?巴西有主場之利,西班牙繼續星光熠熠,德國足球正在復興,而英格蘭雖然仍在沉淪,在香港仍有大量支持者。然而伊朗人對於足球之狂熱,不亞於以上任何一個足球強國;足球在伊朗的政治化程度,更肯定是世界數一數二。筆者去年採訪伊朗大選,在群眾湧上街頭慶祝溫和改革派的魯哈尼(Hassan Rouhani)當選後3日,就見證了伊朗在亞洲區外圍賽擊敗南韓,第四次晉身世界盃決賽周。當日德黑蘭幾乎全城沸騰,民眾在街上揮舞伊朗國旗,高呼伊朗萬歲。見過此情此景就不難明白,為何伊朗政府對足球緊緊箝制,以至在伊朗,足球就等同政治。
利用足球控制人民
足球最初透過大不列顛的帝國爪牙傳入伊朗,早在19世紀末,伊朗人就開始接觸這項運動,而且本身熱愛足球的巴列維王室亦非常支持伊朗體育發展。1979年伊斯蘭革命後,許多有表演形式的藝術和娛樂活動因伊斯蘭教義被禁,足球由於會集結人群,亦被什葉派教士視為潛在動亂源頭,是以初期並不鼓勵這種運動。在被足球取而代之以前,最能夠代表伊朗的體育活動是可以被稱為伊朗「國術」的摔跤。然而無論摔跤在伊朗歷史有多悠久,伊朗又出產過多少世界級選手,仍然無法抵擋足球在現代社會的吸引力;而摔跤這種個人化的運動,更敵不過講究有機合作性且充滿對抗性的足球,在現代國際政治中的重量。
去年前總統艾哈邁迪內賈德8年任期期滿下台,筆者所訪問過的伊朗民眾,無一不為此歡天喜地。內賈德的臭名,一半因為他在國際舞台上的瘋狂行徑,多少令伊朗跟西方進一步交惡,令伊朗受制裁重創,經濟一蹶不振,物價更因貨幣瘋狂貶值而騰飛;一半自然歸因於2009年選舉的各種種票醜聞,以及對反選舉舞弊的綠色革命血腥鎮壓。由於內賈德跟最高領袖哈梅內伊權鬥,而大搞民族主義正好可以幫助內賈德削弱宗教教士權力,於是伊朗的「全民狂熱」運動——足球,就成為了內賈德最方便利用的工具。
內賈德對足球的控制,全球應該沒有任何一個國家領袖可以比擬:2008年,他將伊朗名宿阿里戴伊(Ali Daei)請來擔任領隊,1年後親手將他炒魷。同年他將曾效力拜仁的亞洲足球先生卡利米(Ali Karimi)請入國家隊(雖然卡利米對他並不賣帳,在2009年世盃外圍賽戴上綠色腕帶,以示支持反對派),又安植親信領導伊朗足總(IFF),甚至放寬女球迷入場看球賽的規定,令宗教領袖大為震怒。正如伊朗隊的前教頭古特比所言,伊朗足球的高度政治化有好有壞,好的當然是得以獲取更多國家資源和注意,壞的就是足球運動與政治走得太近,不免過於受到政治風向影響,長遠有礙發展。
足球與伊朗的好戰外交
講及足球成為了各國交鋒的戰場,最難以略而不談的歷史,自是1969年中美洲兩小國薩爾瓦多和洪都拉斯因爭奪世界盃入圍名額,重燃兩國之間由來已久的領土和資源衝突,最終爆發一場真正戰爭。共產波蘭傳奇記者卡普欽斯基(Ryszard Kapuscinski)談及此戰的著作,亦索性稱為The Soccer War。1986年墨西哥世界盃,阿根廷和英格蘭在福克蘭群島戰爭後首次在足球場上對陣,馬勒當拿當時以經典的「上帝之手」入球將英格蘭踢出局,對於阿根廷而言,無疑是打了一支民族主義強心針。1988年,由大帝碧根鮑華帶隊的西德在歐國盃四強對陣荷蘭,橙軍以2比1擊敗德國隊,賽後荷蘭竟有高達六成國民上街瘋狂慶祝,認為國家隊替他們報了二戰時被德國佔領的深仇大恨。橙軍領隊Rinus Michels其時就說了這麼一句:「Football is war.」最接近我們的年代,有最具現代國際政經關係意味的例子:「歐豬」希臘在上屆歐國盃對上了迫希臘政府實行緊縮政策、被希臘人民視為「假救濟,真殺人」的「債主」德國。許多本身對足球零認識的朋友,亦因此留意這場球場大戰,希望希臘能在球場上贏一仗,力保尊嚴,證明主體精神未死。
對於鮮有其他直接外交途徑,而且長期依賴在國際上樹敵來維持政權正統性的伊朗而言,足球的好戰本質(bellicose nature)正正令它成為伊朗外交的最佳出口。伊朗在1998年,在伊斯蘭革命後首次入圍世界盃決賽周,在伊朗引起了比任何國際摔跤賽都強烈的旋風;當年伊朗雖然在小組賽階段就出局,但卻完成了一件無比偉大的壯舉,就是在小組賽階段,以二比一擊敗了同組的「惡魔」美國。自1979年的發生於德黑蘭美國使館的伊朗人質事件起,美國跟伊朗就處於敵對關係,當年不是冤家不聚頭,雙方在球場上非常禮貌,場外卻風起雲湧,最終賽果令當年的伊朗國家隊成為民族英雄。
伊朗足球終於走向國際?
魯哈尼勝選後數天,伊朗即因第四次打入世界盃決賽周而再次舉國歡騰;這位備受改革派歡迎的新總統在政治與足球緊密掛鈎的伊朗,算是有個好得不能再好的開始。去年年底,魯哈尼跟奧巴馬進行破冰電話通話,不久後伊朗和P5+1在日內瓦的核談判就取得歷史性成果。內賈德的狂言狂語已成歷史,美伊關係也不如之前那般劍拔弩張,伊朗似乎向成為國際社會的「正常」一分子,又邁開了一大步。
然而事實卻沒有那麼簡單。在長期的制裁環境下,伊朗國家收入幾乎減半,足總因此瀕臨破產,連亞足聯的金錢援助,也因為對伊朗國際資金轉移的規限而難以到手。伊朗非常貧乏的外交,令伊朗隊1年只踢得上一、兩場國際友賽,而且對手都是連32強都打不入的弱旅。然而伊朗在外圍賽仍擊敗亞洲數一數二、有不少球員外流歐洲頂級聯賽的強隊南韓,總算不枉數年前重金禮聘葡萄牙籍的基羅斯(Carlos Queiroz)加盟成為教頭。基羅斯是費格遜的前任副手,甚至在曼聯辭退莫耶斯後,與費爵爺的另一前助教梅倫史甸一樣,成為過英國小報列出的曼聯下任教頭人選之一。名帥算不上,但作為助教仍然帶過曼聯皇馬,也帶過葡萄牙國家隊,國際經驗絕對足夠,可見伊朗振興國足之決心。
基羅斯其中一項建樹,就是從歐洲聯賽中引入一些海外伊朗人(Iranian Diaspora),邀請他們為伊朗國家隊效力。例如在外圍賽中大放異彩,效力英冠球隊查爾頓的Reza Ghoochannejhad,就是自小已經移民荷蘭,代表過荷蘭青年軍的前鋒,但決定代表伊朗國家隊出賽。他和英超富咸中場Ashkan Dejagah是伊朗世盃23人中,寥寥無幾的外國聯賽球員,其他球員都來自伊朗本土球會。雖然國內聯賽水平不低,但缺乏國際賽經驗,相信依然會成為伊朗國家隊的一個致命傷。
伊朗身處的F組,除了必然會出線的阿根廷以外,眾星雲集的波斯尼亞絕不好惹,曾經的非洲猛虎尼日利亞也還是有米基爾和尤保等球星在陣。然而伊朗國家隊早在6月初就已經抵達巴西,開始適應時差和集訓,比幾乎所有隊伍都要早。書寫伊朗當然是因為伊朗的政治外交特別值得研究,也因為個人對於伊朗的感情和對弱旅的扶弱心態;然而更重要的原因,是筆者認為在資金缺乏,經驗不足,出線機會奇低的處境下,依然認真對待足球,就是世界應該見證的,最美麗的體育精神。
文×陳婉容
編輯 胡可欣