On Wednesday, the persistent downpour in Chengdu did not dampen the spirits of Chinese track and field enthusiasts. They rallied behind their athletes on the second day of the FISU World University Games, resulting in a bronze medal win for China’s Chen Guanfeng in the men’s 100 meters final.
Despite the absence of gold-medal victories for China that night, the zealous spectators at the Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium passionately rooted for their athletes. Their tremendous support also extended to India’s Rohit Kumar, the final contender in the men’s 10,000 meters race. Kumar finished five minutes after the victorious Dismas Yeko of Uganda but received equal cheers and encouragement.
Local fans enthusiastically boosted Chinese athletes’ morale, energetically cheering in the local Sichuan dialect, shouting “xiongqi,” translating to “cheer up.”
The anticipation reached fever pitch during the men’s 100 meters final. Sprinter Chen Guanfeng, representing Shanghai University of Sport, clocked in at 10.17 seconds, securing a bronze medal for China. As he made a lap of honor around the stadium, draped in the Chinese national flag, the audience erupted in triumphant celebration.
Trailing closely behind Chen, Lin Yu-sian from Chinese Taipei, delivered a personal best of 10.24 seconds. He too basked in sustained applause when his achievement was announced.
Chen’s podium placement marks a significant accomplishment for Chinese sprinting. It’s rare for a Chinese male athlete to secure a spot in a global competition outside the University Games. This achievement mirrors Su Bingtian’s podium finish at the 2011 Universiade.
Chen expressed hope that his success would motivate the next generation of Chinese sprinters, much as Su’s accomplishment inspired him in 2011.
The momentum continued with Chinese female sprinter Liang Xiaojing. Despite the challenges of an injury-plagued season, she clocked a seasonal best of 11.33 seconds during the heats and finished fifth in the final with 11.48 seconds.
Liang shared her appreciation for the spirited Chengdu audience, whose enthusiastic cheers filled her with energy. This feeling of home-like support acted as a catalyst, propelling her forward despite the demanding circumstances.
Despite an injury setback, Liang remains determined. She’s already looking ahead to the upcoming Asian Games, hoping for another chance to shine on her home track and, possibly, ascend the podium in Hangzhou.
Liang’s teammate, Ge Manqi, chose to compete in the women’s 4×100 meters relay instead of the individual 100 meters sprint. Both athletes are set to compete in the Budapest World Athletics Championships, commencing later this month.
The Games continue with the performance of the rising star Wu Yanni, a Sichuan local and national championship winner, in the women’s hurdles, further solidifying the unwavering spirit of the Chinese athletes and fans alike.
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