Stars shine at the 2nd National Youth Games

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, August 19, 2019
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The China Youth Games has set stage for both rising stars and established Olympic champions and world record holders born after the turn of the new millennium in some sports.

1. Rio Olympic champion Ren eyes return to elite group

Diver Ren Qian reached the highest position of the podium in the first edition Chinese Youth Games in Fuzhou four year ago and became China's first Generation Z Olympic champion at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

However, after her brilliant performance in Rio, Ren hit the bottom because of her physical development. The 18-year-old failed to enter China's rosters of the 2018 Asian Games and the 18th FINA World Championships in July's Gwangju, South Korea.

At the ongoing Youth Games, Ren won both the singles and synchronized 10m platform events. She told Xinhua that she'd like to regard the Youth Games as her milestone of being back among the elite divers in China.

2. World Championships bronze medalist Wang doesn't feel tired in consecutive wins

Wang Jianjiahe, fresh from pocketing a bronze in women's 400m freestyle at the Gwangju worlds, bagged three golds and one bronze at the second Youth Games for the Liaoning delegation.

"Wang didn't feel tired after everyday's competitions. She even continues practicing in the pool after the Games," Her coach Han Bingyan said.

In march, Wang won the women's 400m, 800m and 1500m free events at the China's national elites tournament. The 17-year-old is the Asian record holder of the 800m and 1500m women's freestyle.

"It is my first Youth Games. I'd like to learn from my competitors in Taiyuan," Wang said, adding that she would follow her coach's advice in the following months to get prepared for Tokyo 2020.

3. Weightlifting rising star Li's special training lesson at Youth Games

Li Wenwen, a 19-year-old weightlifter, took an easy win at the 2nd Chinese Youth Games. Regarded as a title favorite in women's over 87kg category's at Tokyo 2020, Li said that she only saw the victory as a common training lesson in her daily lives.

Li started to train seven years ago and has featured in various national sports events since she was 18.

Earlier this year, she earned three golds as well as a world record in the snatch at the Asian Championships in April.

"The current world records in women's over 87kg category in clean and jerk and total are not mine. I'd like to break them both as soon as possible," Li said.

Li's told Xinhua her first goal is to break the clean and jerk world record in next month's World Championships, while her second goal is to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

"As a rookie, Li must put on her best performance to earn her entry to the Olympic Games. For now, everything in going smoothly," Li's coach Guan Yongmei said. 

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