Zhang Guozheng, 2004 Athens Olympic weightlifting champion, is at the center of a dramatic tug-of-war between China's Yunnan and Shanxi provinces since he will most certainly be a title contender at next year's Olympics in Beijing .

Zhang represented Yunnan Province during his gold medal win in Athens three years ago, but now he claims to represent Shanxi. Each province, in turn, has claimed Zhang as its own.

Athens Olympic weightlifting champion Zhang Guozheng has been involved in a tug-of-war between China's Yunnan and Shanxi provinces. Both sides want him to be a registered member in order to collect a "profitable return" if Zhang defends his Olympic title in the Beijing Olympic Games next year. [Xinhua] Winning an Olympic gold medal undoubtedly brings global glory for both an individual and his country. But in China, winning is also a big deal for the province, autonomous region or municipality where the athlete has registered.

China's hukou, or household registration system, is the main factor behind this struggle between regions. Every national team member represents the province in which he is registered. The more champions a province produces, the more financial support it gets from the State General Administration of Sports (SGAS), the governing body for all Chinese sports. Moreover, a province's sporting achievements go a long way toward the political future of provincial officials in charge of sports.

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