Beijing Ducks set up a special plate through corridor of the Wukesong Arena to mourn deceased Ji Zhe on Dec. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
By sportswriter Su Bin
BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- "Gee Gee Gee Gee..."
After Taruike Jianiyou earned the Beijing Ducks' first goal against the Shenzhen Aviators on Sunday night, the music resounded inside the Wukesong Arena, but its "owner" could never hear it again.
Ji Zhe celebrates after shooting a three-pointer in the third game of the 2014/15 CBA Finals on March 15, 2015. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)
This Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league match was almost all about Ji Zhe, a former basketball player who won triple CBA titles with Beijing. Ji died of a lung cancer early on Thursday.
A 51-numbered T-shirt is put on the back of every seat inside the Wukesong Arena on Dec. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
A 51-numbered T-shirt was put on the back of every seat inside the 18,000-capacity Wukesong, the basketball venue of the 2008 Olympics located in western Beijing. It was Ji's jersey number during his more-than-a-decade spell in Beijing.
A 51-numbered T-shirt is put on the back of every seat inside the Wukesong Arena on Dec. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
A special plate was set up through corridor of the arena. Surrounding Ji's No. 51 jersey were cards of fans' message to Ji.
A special plate was set up through corridor of the Wukesong Arena on Dec. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
"Hopefully basketball will be with you in the heaven," a fan wrote on the card.
"I believe you've never gone," read another card.
One-minute silence tribute was paid to Ji before the match. Many fans were seen weeping on the stand.
One-minute silence tribute is paid to deceased Ji Zhe before the match
in the Wukesong Arena on Dec. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
A video of Ji's career highlight was played during the interval. Words of "Forever No. 51" and "Fighting for you" were seen on the screen.
With Ji's photos shown one after another in a dimmer arena, fans switched on lights on their cellphones, forming an ocean of light in memory of Ji.
Fans switch on lights on their cellphones to mourn deceased Ji Zhe at the Wukesong Arena on Dec. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
"He was a fighter who was fighting every moment on the court. That didn't change after what happened to him until the last moment," recalled Beijing's head coach Yannis Christopoulos.
The Beijing Ducks mascot raises a plate read "Ji Zhe" to mourn Ji Zhe at the Wukesong Arena on Dec. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Then he pointed his left forefinger at the sky. "The fight is up there," said the Greek.
Ji joined the Beijing Ducks in 2007, winning the CBA champions in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Beijing Ducks players wipe tears while mourning Ji Zhe at the Wukesong Arena on Dec. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
"It was the toughest period for me and my players since I coached this team. It was very difficult to manage our emotions and feeling," admitted Christopoulos.
"I want to say to his son that he has to feel proud of his father, because his father is a strong man and a warrior."
Zhai Xiaochuan, a star player of the Beijing Ducks, wears a pair of shoes written "Brother Forever" at the match on Dec. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Ji left his beloved basketball and the Shougang family. But he will be there, indeed. ■
