"The arena that was once out of reach is now right in front of us..." On the morning of July 13, the mobilization meeting for the establishment of the Chinese sports delegation for the Paris Olympic Games was held in Beijing. The delegation consists of 716 people, including 405 athletes, including 136 male athletes and 269 female athletes. Sichuan athlete Wu Yanni is also one of them. She is expected to go to Paris with the track and field team at the end of July to compete in the women's 100-meter hurdles.
"Aim at Paris, and that's it!" When she was preparing for the final competition in Beijing, she posted a training video on her social account, aiming at the first Olympic Games in her life. She was confident, sunny and straightforward.
▲Screenshot of Wu Yanni’s personal social account video
Half a month ago, in the “last battle” before the Paris Olympics - the National Track and Field Championships, Wu Yanni won the championship in 12.74 seconds. Not only did she set a new personal best, but she also set a record for this year’s event. Best record in Asia.
After this battle, Wu Yanni achieved "three consecutive championships" in the domestic track and field championships and is looking forward to the Olympics even more. She vividly compared the Paris Olympics to a "final exam." Although she knew that her competition experience and personal strength were at a disadvantage compared with top foreign athletes, she still decided to compete with them with a fighting attitude.
Before going to the Paris Olympics, Red Star News interviewed Wu Yanni, her coach, and her family. She saw an increasingly mature Wu Yanni, and also discovered that there are n rich "faces" behind this Sichuan girl...
▲ Wu Yanni's life photos. Picture provided by the interviewee
Talent:
Won the 100-meter championship at the County Games and was selected by the sports school
After 15 years of persistence, she successfully competed in the Olympics
Wu Yanni's track and field life originated from "accidental".
She was born in Fushun County, Zigong City, Sichuan Province in 1997. She studied dance as a child. Her mother, Xiong Yan, said frankly that she had hoped that her daughter could take the dance route, but her daughter showed high talent in track and field. In 2009, due to professional training needs, Xiong Yan transferred her daughter to Zizhong County, Neijiang City.
In the same year, Wu Yanni won the 100-meter sprint championship at the Zizhong County Games and was selected by the Zizhong Sports School, and she embarked on the "track and field road". Soon, 12-year-old Wu Yanni was recommended to the Sichuan Provincial Track and Field School. Ye Hu, the current vice-principal of the school, was Wu Yanni’s coach when she entered the school, and was her “bo Le” in track and field. In Ye Hu's impression, Wu Yanni didn't have much foundation in track and field when she first arrived, but her physical coordination, flexibility and flexibility were good. She has an outgoing and cheerful personality and a strong competitive spirit. She surpassed many children after one winter training.
▲Photos of Wu Yanni when she was a child. Photo by Yuan Wei
After practicing sprinting for more than two years, Ye Hu recommended her to hurdle coach Yang Hui. Since then, Wu Yanni started her hurdles career.
In 2016 and 2017, she represented Sichuan in the National Track and Field Championships and the National Games, winning third place in the women's 100-meter hurdles. In 2018, she won the National Track and Field Championships, with a time of 13.17 seconds, surpassing the Asian Games championship in the same year. , which emerged from this.
Wu Yanni really entered the public eye in 2020. In September of that year, at the National Track and Field Championships, she won the championship with a time of 13.09 seconds, breaking the best result in the Asian women's 100-meter hurdles event since 2018 and becoming a new generation of "female flying star". In June 2021, she first broke the 13-second mark at the National Track and Field Championships and won the championship in 12.98 seconds. Subsequently, he won the National Track and Field Championships with a time of 12.87 seconds, creating the best domestic result in this event since 2015.
In August 2023, at the 31st Summer Universiade held in Chengdu, Wu Yanni won the silver medal in the women's 100-meter hurdles with a personal best time of 12.76 seconds. After the game, she was very excited because this result had reached the par for the Paris Olympics. She quickly became a hot topic on the Internet, and many netizens praised her and called her "beautiful and sassy".
has persisted for 15 years. This summer, she will finally compete in the Olympics and step onto the highest stage of track and field.
▲Some of Wu Yanni’s medals and trophies. Photographed by Yuan Wei
Confidence:
She has been criticized for jumping the gun and having a distinctive personality
"Competitive sports involve losing and losing, and I can afford to lose even if I win."
Since last year, Wu Yanni has changed her hairstyle to a "high ponytail" during competitions. For braids.At last year's National Track and Field Championships, she became popular because of her unique look and distinctive personality. In this regard, netizens have mixed comments.
In July last year, she was "out" from the 2023 Asian Track and Field Championships in Thailand due to a false start. In October last year, she was disqualified again due to a false start at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Wu Yanni was criticized on the Internet for her false starts in two major competitions, coupled with her distinctive personality, appearance and competition habits.
Regarding this, Wu Yanni said frankly that when she saw the "unpleasant" remarks, she felt a little uncomfortable, but she forgot about it after a while. She also said that the shoulder twisting action during the game is to relax the body and adjust the competitive state; the index finger pointing to the sky is to commemorate her deceased grandfather. Wu Yanni has told Red Star News many times that it is difficult for a person to be perfect and not liked by everyone. Therefore, she just insists on being herself and persisting in her hurdle career. "The women's 100-meter hurdles is a competitive sport, with winners and losers. I, Wu Yanni, can both win and lose."
▲ Wu Yanni off the field is like the girl next door. Photo by Yuan Wei
Xiong Yan revealed to Red Star News that after the "jump start" incident at the Asian Championships last year, her daughter expressed her inner disappointment to her. However, after the brief loss, she regained her confidence and prepared for the next stop. The Wu Yanni off the court is a completely different person from the one on the court. She usually likes to wear headphones to listen to music, or chat and joke with coaches and teammates, just like a girl next door.
Wu Yanni also made no secret of her "confidence". She said that as an athlete, in addition to professional skills, confidence and lack of stage fright are also advantages. "As long as I can relax on the field, show my true strength, and achieve good results, it doesn't matter what others think or say."
"It doesn't affect my game state whether I'm good or bad. ” She believes that online attention “comes and goes quickly”, so you should focus all your attention on yourself and show your best side to those who like you.
▲Wu Yanni and her mother Xiong Yan. Photo provided by interviewee
Xiong Yan said frankly that her daughter’s personality follows hers, she is confident, independent and highly competitive. Whatever her daughter did as a child, she tried to magnify her strengths and encourage her to cultivate her self-confidence. When faced with a choice, she is more accustomed to accompanying her and helping her analyze the pros and cons, and then letting her daughter make her own decision. "But I told her that if she makes a choice, she must do it well and not give up halfway."
coach Yang Hui revealed that after the Hangzhou Asian Games, he returned to Beijing for surgery. Wu Yanni went to see him, and he even prepared her "not to practice track and field." "Preparation", "She can stand up in the face of online criticism, which is quite good."
In Wu Yanni's view, her mother plays many roles in her life. "Mom, best friend, sister, teacher, psychological counselor, life planning instructor, confidant..." In life, she and her mother are more like best friends. They often talk to each other and occasionally gossip. The mother and daughter know each other very well. "I am very grateful to my mother. She gave me life, taught me to be grateful, and taught me how to get along in the world..." She told Red Star News that she comes from a single-parent family, and her mother cultivated her confident and strong character, which also created her Her performance on the field prompted her to constantly challenge herself.
▲Information picture of Wu Yanni (left) participating in the competition. Picture provided by the interviewee
Steady:
She has won consecutive championships this year
The "last battle" before the Olympics has achieved the best record in Asia this year
Since this year, Wu Yanni has maintained a good state of "striving for stability" and has not been robbed by the previous competition. run and the fallout from online controversies. The closer she gets to the Olympics, the more heroic she becomes.
Previously, she set new personal bests 4 times in the women's 60-meter hurdles preliminaries of the World Indoor Track and Field Championships, the women's 60-meter hurdles finals of the National Indoor Track and Field Grand Prix Jinan Station, and the women's 60-meter hurdles preliminaries and finals of the National Indoor Track and Field Championships. Subsequently, she competed in Japan and ran 12.86 seconds in the women's 100-meter hurdles final at the Osaka Station of the World Athletics Intercontinental Tour and 12.80 seconds in the women's 100-meter hurdles final at the Tokyo Station. She won the two championships "back-to-back".
For the "last battle" before the Paris Olympics, she chose the National Track and Field Championships.This is one of the highest-level comprehensive events in domestic track and field events. It is not only an opportunity for actual training, but also the emergence of some "new stars".
▲ Wu Yanni posted a message after winning the National Track and Field Championship
html From June 28 to 30, the National Track and Field Championship was held in Rizhao, Shandong. Wu Yanni, Lin Yuwei and Xia Sining, known as the "Three Golden Flowers" by netizens, all participated. In the final, Wu Yanni defeated Hangzhou Asian Games champion Lin Yuwei and crossed the finish line first, winning the championship in 12.74 seconds and achieving the "three consecutive championships" in the National Track and Field Championships. This result not only refreshed his personal best score again, but also was the best record in Asia this year.Hard work:
"Point your sword at Paris, and that's it!"
Competing with top foreign athletes with a fighting attitude
The Olympic Games is the highest dream of many athletes. After reaching the participation criteria last year, Wu Yanni was full of desire and expectations to compete in the Paris Olympics. "Think about a year ago, and now, I am happy!" In June this year, she said on her social account, "The arena that was once out of reach is now right in front of me. I'm looking forward to it, I'm super excited , I’m not nervous, I can’t wait!”
html In mid-June, Wu Yanni said in an interview with Red Star News that this was her first Olympics. Generally speaking, she felt relatively calm, but she still had expectations and would work hard first. be oneself. Wu Yanni also admitted that compared with top foreign athletes, her current situation is at a disadvantage in terms of competition experience and personal strength. Therefore, when I participated in the Olympics this time, I had a fighting attitude and competed with them. "If the competition is good, I will be very happy; if the competition is not good, I will find the reasons and make up for the shortcomings."
▲ Coach Yang Hui guides Wu Yanni's training. Photo by Yuan Wei
Yang Hui revealed to Red Star News that after the "jump start" incident last year, they have been doing targeted training at the start, and now Wu Yanni's start is more stable. "Her training status is generally benign, and there are no major injuries." Yang Hui believes that Wu Yanni has an "upward" trend while maintaining competitive status, but it is currently unclear to what level she can break through. "I hope Yanni can make a breakthrough in the Olympics." He said that if she breaks 12.60 seconds, she will have a chance to enter the top eight in the Olympics, that is, enter the finals. However, as long as Wu Yanni can achieve her personal best in the Olympics and break through on her own, "she is a hero in my mind."
In the interview, Wu Yanni said: "I am not perfect, I have my own rhythm of life. I am A girl who loves her career will try her best to achieve her dreams and goals in her career. I hope that those who support me will continue to support me; I hope to show a different version of myself in the Olympics, and I hope to bring success to everyone. Come and be happy."
Before leaving for the expedition, Wu Yanni posted a training video on her social account: "Point your sword at Paris, and that's it!" Her mother, Xiong Yan, also plans to go to Paris in the near future. She said she just wants her daughter to know, "Mom is here to help. Come on,”
Red Star News reporter Yuan Wei and Yao Yongzhong
editor Pan Li and editor-in-chief Guan Li
At last year's National Track and Field Championships, she became popular because of her unique look and distinctive personality. In this regard, netizens have mixed comments.In July last year, she was "out" from the 2023 Asian Track and Field Championships in Thailand due to a false start. In October last year, she was disqualified again due to a false start at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Wu Yanni was criticized on the Internet for her false starts in two major competitions, coupled with her distinctive personality, appearance and competition habits.
Regarding this, Wu Yanni said frankly that when she saw the "unpleasant" remarks, she felt a little uncomfortable, but she forgot about it after a while. She also said that the shoulder twisting action during the game is to relax the body and adjust the competitive state; the index finger pointing to the sky is to commemorate her deceased grandfather. Wu Yanni has told Red Star News many times that it is difficult for a person to be perfect and not liked by everyone. Therefore, she just insists on being herself and persisting in her hurdle career. "The women's 100-meter hurdles is a competitive sport, with winners and losers. I, Wu Yanni, can both win and lose."
▲ Wu Yanni off the field is like the girl next door. Photo by Yuan Wei
Xiong Yan revealed to Red Star News that after the "jump start" incident at the Asian Championships last year, her daughter expressed her inner disappointment to her. However, after the brief loss, she regained her confidence and prepared for the next stop. The Wu Yanni off the court is a completely different person from the one on the court. She usually likes to wear headphones to listen to music, or chat and joke with coaches and teammates, just like a girl next door.
Wu Yanni also made no secret of her "confidence". She said that as an athlete, in addition to professional skills, confidence and lack of stage fright are also advantages. "As long as I can relax on the field, show my true strength, and achieve good results, it doesn't matter what others think or say."
"It doesn't affect my game state whether I'm good or bad. ” She believes that online attention “comes and goes quickly”, so you should focus all your attention on yourself and show your best side to those who like you.
▲Wu Yanni and her mother Xiong Yan. Photo provided by interviewee
Xiong Yan said frankly that her daughter’s personality follows hers, she is confident, independent and highly competitive. Whatever her daughter did as a child, she tried to magnify her strengths and encourage her to cultivate her self-confidence. When faced with a choice, she is more accustomed to accompanying her and helping her analyze the pros and cons, and then letting her daughter make her own decision. "But I told her that if she makes a choice, she must do it well and not give up halfway."
coach Yang Hui revealed that after the Hangzhou Asian Games, he returned to Beijing for surgery. Wu Yanni went to see him, and he even prepared her "not to practice track and field." "Preparation", "She can stand up in the face of online criticism, which is quite good."
In Wu Yanni's view, her mother plays many roles in her life. "Mom, best friend, sister, teacher, psychological counselor, life planning instructor, confidant..." In life, she and her mother are more like best friends. They often talk to each other and occasionally gossip. The mother and daughter know each other very well. "I am very grateful to my mother. She gave me life, taught me to be grateful, and taught me how to get along in the world..." She told Red Star News that she comes from a single-parent family, and her mother cultivated her confident and strong character, which also created her Her performance on the field prompted her to constantly challenge herself.
▲Information picture of Wu Yanni (left) participating in the competition. Picture provided by the interviewee
Steady:
She has won consecutive championships this year
The "last battle" before the Olympics has achieved the best record in Asia this year
Since this year, Wu Yanni has maintained a good state of "striving for stability" and has not been robbed by the previous competition. run and the fallout from online controversies. The closer she gets to the Olympics, the more heroic she becomes.
Previously, she set new personal bests 4 times in the women's 60-meter hurdles preliminaries of the World Indoor Track and Field Championships, the women's 60-meter hurdles finals of the National Indoor Track and Field Grand Prix Jinan Station, and the women's 60-meter hurdles preliminaries and finals of the National Indoor Track and Field Championships. Subsequently, she competed in Japan and ran 12.86 seconds in the women's 100-meter hurdles final at the Osaka Station of the World Athletics Intercontinental Tour and 12.80 seconds in the women's 100-meter hurdles final at the Tokyo Station. She won the two championships "back-to-back".
For the "last battle" before the Paris Olympics, she chose the National Track and Field Championships.This is one of the highest-level comprehensive events in domestic track and field events. It is not only an opportunity for actual training, but also the emergence of some "new stars".
▲ Wu Yanni posted a message after winning the National Track and Field Championship
html From June 28 to 30, the National Track and Field Championship was held in Rizhao, Shandong. Wu Yanni, Lin Yuwei and Xia Sining, known as the "Three Golden Flowers" by netizens, all participated. In the final, Wu Yanni defeated Hangzhou Asian Games champion Lin Yuwei and crossed the finish line first, winning the championship in 12.74 seconds and achieving the "three consecutive championships" in the National Track and Field Championships. This result not only refreshed his personal best score again, but also was the best record in Asia this year.Hard work:
"Point your sword at Paris, and that's it!"
Competing with top foreign athletes with a fighting attitude
The Olympic Games is the highest dream of many athletes. After reaching the participation criteria last year, Wu Yanni was full of desire and expectations to compete in the Paris Olympics. "Think about a year ago, and now, I am happy!" In June this year, she said on her social account, "The arena that was once out of reach is now right in front of me. I'm looking forward to it, I'm super excited , I’m not nervous, I can’t wait!”
html In mid-June, Wu Yanni said in an interview with Red Star News that this was her first Olympics. Generally speaking, she felt relatively calm, but she still had expectations and would work hard first. be oneself. Wu Yanni also admitted that compared with top foreign athletes, her current situation is at a disadvantage in terms of competition experience and personal strength. Therefore, when I participated in the Olympics this time, I had a fighting attitude and competed with them. "If the competition is good, I will be very happy; if the competition is not good, I will find the reasons and make up for the shortcomings."
▲ Coach Yang Hui guides Wu Yanni's training. Photo by Yuan Wei
Yang Hui revealed to Red Star News that after the "jump start" incident last year, they have been doing targeted training at the start, and now Wu Yanni's start is more stable. "Her training status is generally benign, and there are no major injuries." Yang Hui believes that Wu Yanni has an "upward" trend while maintaining competitive status, but it is currently unclear to what level she can break through. "I hope Yanni can make a breakthrough in the Olympics." He said that if she breaks 12.60 seconds, she will have a chance to enter the top eight in the Olympics, that is, enter the finals. However, as long as Wu Yanni can achieve her personal best in the Olympics and break through on her own, "she is a hero in my mind."
In the interview, Wu Yanni said: "I am not perfect, I have my own rhythm of life. I am A girl who loves her career will try her best to achieve her dreams and goals in her career. I hope that those who support me will continue to support me; I hope to show a different version of myself in the Olympics, and I hope to bring success to everyone. Come and be happy."
Before leaving for the expedition, Wu Yanni posted a training video on her social account: "Point your sword at Paris, and that's it!" Her mother, Xiong Yan, also plans to go to Paris in the near future. She said she just wants her daughter to know, "Mom is here to help. Come on,”
Red Star News reporter Yuan Wei and Yao Yongzhong
editor Pan Li and editor-in-chief Guan Li
