After winning gold at the Chinese National Athletes Championships in June, hurdler Wu Yanni begins a new chapter at the FISU World University Games. Wang Mengjie has more.

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With her excellent performance, hurdler Wu Yanni has run into Chinese people"s hearts and become an internet sensation.

WU YANNI Chinese hurdler "It is my muscles that makes me widely known, not my face. Ability is most important. The battle for strength is my fashion."

With a healthy self-confidence, Wu advanced to the semifinal of the Universiade on Thursday after coming first in the group stage.

WU YANNI Chinese hurdler "I am a rival to myself. Pushing yourself is difficult. I think the 10 hurdles are my friend, my comrade-in-arms."

But for Wu, the hurdles competition is not always smooth sailing. She was disqualified from the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships due to a false start.

WU YANNI Chinese hurdler "The start is my obvious mistake. When I jumped the gun early in 2014, it became one of my obstacles. What if the past years" practice is all in vain, always worries me. I will slow my start rather than making a false start."

To better prepare for the Chengdu Games, Wu adjusted her mindset. But she says she feels closer to her idol Liu Xiang, another Chinese Olympic champion, when facing challenges.

WU YANNI Chinese hurdler "Because of the false start, I saw some of the blame. Actually, I don"t mind. But I"m aware that Liu Xiang had experienced this before. I can feel it now, which makes me sad."

The young hurdler has a secret weapon to help heal the pain.

WU YANNI Chinese hurdler "My mom has my back the most. She encourages me and helped build my self-confidence when I was young. She is my mom, but also my friend."

Chengdu Makes Dreams come true, and Wu says she will never stop pursuing the dreams.Wang Mengjie, CGTN, Chengdu.

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