2024-06-21 02:48:45
[Exclusive interview with Sports News]”See you in Paris!” This promise made by Hong Kong group’s “Prince of Vaulting Horses” Shi Weixiong following his elimination within the Tokyo Olympic preliminaries was lastly fulfilled following 1,000 days of ache and battle. From a damaged leg to a comeback to repeated accidents, with a purpose to understand his want to compete within the Olympics for the third time, Shi Weixiong gambled on the way forward for his legs and vowed that he would by no means be afraid even when he misplaced or broke his leg. However this willpower was accompanied by the loneliness of shedding himself. How did the three phrases “See you in Paris” lead him in these three years?
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The final time I sat down and talked intimately with Shi Weixiong was greater than half a yr in the past. At the moment, he made an surprising however clear resolution: to surrender the Asian Video games and go for the World Championships. “I need to have yet another probability on the Olympics and make some breakthroughs.” As final yr’s Hangzhou Asian Video games coincided with the World Championships in Belgium, he gave up the chance to win the Asian Video games gold medal for the third time and strived for the Olympic qualification within the high eight of the World Championships in Antwerp.
Nonetheless, the fact is not so good as imagined. Shi Weixiong failed in each jumps within the World Championships preparatory spherical and at last completed in 18th place. “The truth is, I used to be a bit dissatisfied following the sport, as a result of at the moment, my foot might solely run usually. I used to be very dissatisfied. If I’ve to go to 4 world championships in 24 years, will probably be actually exhausting. Even when I can do it alone, I don’t know if my foot can do it.” After Shi Weixiong fractured his ankle and legs in Tokyo, he rested for 3 months earlier than competing within the 2021 World Championships. His accidents additionally recurred. He revealed originally of final yr that “I lastly ran and jumped the horse, however I’m not totally recovered. I hope it received’t worsen once more”, however the ache in his ft has by no means left. “I’ve to leap a minimum of eight occasions in 4 stations, and I’ve to coach and know everybody. However I spotted that since I selected to go, I can’t give it some thought. I’ve to do it. I can’t say no in any respect.”
However I do know that since I’ve chosen to go, I can’t give it some thought or not. I’ve to have it or not. I can’t say no in any respect.
Shi Weixiong made an excellent begin within the World Cup in Egypt. (Photograph: Cairo Gymnastics World Cup Fb)
The World Cup collection that began in February this yr is the final probability for gymnasts to qualify for the Olympics. After deducting the certified athletes, the 2 athletes with the very best complete scores within the 4 stations in every particular person occasion will get Olympic berths. “Quite than not having the ability to go to the Olympics, I’m extra fearful regarding my foot not having the ability to maintain on. As a result of I do know that I’ll go to the finals a minimum of in three stations, which is regular, however I’m afraid that my physique cannot maintain on.” Within the first station in Egypt, Shi Weixiong received a bronze medal. However in truth, as early because the coaching camp within the Netherlands earlier than the beginning of the World Cup, he had returned to Hong Kong to get injections to deal with his foot damage in a low-key method. “The unique plan was to qualify within the first three stations, so I did not need to go to the fourth station. However I failed within the second station, and the entire plan needed to be modified instantly. I needed to battle within the fourth station once more, so it was very exhausting.” Within the second station in Germany, he did not qualify and solely ranked thirtieth, and didn’t make any progress within the Olympic standings. Happily, within the Azerbaijan station two weeks later, Shi Weixiong instantly recovered and stood on the second degree of the rostrum, only one step away from the objective of the primary three stations finals.
“A month earlier than the fourth station, my foot felt uncomfortable once more, so I returned to Hong Kong instantly and stored a low profile for an additional injection. I actually hoped that nothing would have an effect on me in the course of the 4 stations, so I had already risked my life and tried all the things. Happily, I succeeded ultimately.” After returning to Hong Kong for an additional injection, Shi Weixiong solely received the seventh place within the Olympic factors within the last Qatar station, however as a result of he had “saved sufficient” factors from the earlier silver and bronze medals, and his foremost rival Iran’s consultant made critical errors, he efficiently received the Olympic ticket with the primary place.
“I do not assume I am as excited as earlier than as a result of it isn’t my first time. I am extra calm. I am joyful, however I will proceed to observe the following day following some time.” This Paris Olympics might be Shi Weixiong’s third time to take part within the Olympics. Within the 2012 London Olympics, he grew to become the primary consultant of the Hong Kong Olympic gymnastics group. “The primary time was actually the primary time. I used to be solely 20 years outdated at the moment, so I used to be a bit excited. In any case these years of expertise, I believe it isn’t essential to be notably joyful simply to get the qualification. The result’s that I used to be fortunate to go, however how I obtained it’s truly extra essential.” After he got here once more from Qatar, we have now met twice, and he laughed and stated that he was fortunate to get this ticket. The “fortunate” he talked regarding is that even when he misplaced within the World Championships, his “ache” nonetheless allowed him to persist in these 4 stations.
I believe there is no such thing as a have to be notably joyful regarding simply getting the qualification. It was simply luck that I obtained there, however how I obtained it’s truly extra essential.
(Photograph: Tilu Database)
The Olympics is a spot that every one athletes are wanting to go. I’m the identical. I’m nonetheless very hungry for the Olympics.
Nonetheless, Shi Weixiong’s earlier Olympic journey was not so fortunate. Within the all-around competitors of the London Olympics, he might solely end thirteenth. Within the Rio Olympic Qualifying Event, he failed once more, rating solely fifty fifth out of 64 athletes within the all-around competitors. Coupled with the damage within the earlier Olympics, Shi Weixiong all the time gave the impression to be incompatible with the Olympics. “However I need to get this factor in any respect prices and sacrifice all the things. As a result of whether or not it’s a dream or an actual observe, the Olympics is a spot that every one athletes are wanting to go. I’m the identical. I’m nonetheless very hungry for the Olympics.” Gymnastics itself is a really troublesome sport, however he has not solely been on this enviornment for practically 20 years, however can also be making ready to turn out to be an Olympic “three-time veteran”. It’s exactly due to this need for the five-ring stage that he can all the time keep this driving pressure. “I do not know if Paris might be my final Olympics. Even when I observe every single day, I’ll deal with it because the final time, so I cherish each sport and will certainly do it 100%.”
You probably have had the chance to observe Shi Weixiong compete in recent times, you’ll most likely see an enormous five-ring emblem tattooed on his once more. The tattoo is a scar of practically 10 cm lengthy left following the operation of the sixth and seventh vertebrae of the 14-year-old when he misplaced the sport. 19 years later, the scars on his physique can nonetheless change and turn out to be extra extreme. The affected areas might not be utterly gone. “I’m not afraid of shedding, I’m not afraid of this or that, I’m not afraid of anybody getting damage. I simply need to do that enterprise. I’ve opened my coronary heart and need not lose once more.” The diploma of openness is that although the hospital tried to say that too many injections are dangerous to well being, he nonetheless obtained two or three injections in two months.
I’m not afraid of shedding in a row. I’m not happy with any loss. I’ve already given it my all and there’s no method I can lose.
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After the final Olympics, many Hong Kong athletes grew to become extra widespread and obtained many enterprise alternatives. However whenever you open Shi Weixiong’s social media, a lot of the posts are regarding competitions, coaching and surgical procedure. He selected to bury himself in observe as a result of he actually needed to take part within the Olympics once more, however as a result of he was too centered, he grew to become introverted. “There have been too many ups and downs up to now two years. It appears that evidently I’ve misplaced greater than I’ve gained. But it surely’s all a course of, similar to whenever you learn a e-book, you do not know what it says till you flip to the once more.” I requested him what he felt he had misplaced probably the most up to now two years, or what he needed to search out probably the most. At the moment, Shi Weixiong all of a sudden fell into deep thought, “Prior to now few years… plainly I’ve misplaced myself.”
Prior to now few years…it looks like I’ve misplaced myself.
He stated that as a result of he had solely been eager regarding the Olympics, he might sacrifice all the things else in his life besides this one factor. “Happily, following a number of very tiring years, I used to be capable of finding myself once more up to now yr. You need to quit with a purpose to acquire. Should you empty your self and let go of some issues, you’ll naturally acquire in some surprising conditions.” It sounds very empty, however in truth, Buddhism has lengthy talked regarding that solely by emptying your self are you able to regain management of your life.
It looks like I’ve thanked many individuals, however by no means thanked myself.
“I’ve competed for a few years and given many interviews. I appear to have thanked many individuals, however I’ve by no means thanked myself. I’m very grateful that I’ve not given up regardless of the exhausting work and have continued to maneuver ahead.” The Olympic highway might have come to the top. Shi Weixiong has quietly set off for coaching in Europe originally of this month, and has not even accomplished many interviews. He laughed and stated that he’s not a show-off and isn’t certified to point out off, however he actually hopes to focus on the Paris Olympics because the final one. Earlier than the final Video games, international media specializing in gymnastics predicted that Shi Weixiong had an opportunity to win the gold medal; however this time, he himself has embraced the Buddhist mentality, “Let issues go and do your finest.”
Textual content: Mak King-chi
Photograph: Brian Ching
【Give attention to the Olympics】
Purple represents ardour, impulse, pleasure, and hazard… However in sports activities, crimson has one other which means. In recent times, research have proven that whether or not in boxing and taekwondo matches or soccer matches, the facet carrying crimson protecting gear and garments will all the time acquire some benefits. It’s stated that it is because crimson makes folks really feel robust and assured, and the physique naturally begins to work exhausting to compete. The Olympics is the last word dream of each athlete. Coaching day and night time is to face on the five-ring stage in probably the most “scorching” state. This is the reason we selected crimson as the principle shade for this exhibition. We hope to introduce the general public to completely different sports activities fields by photographs, and focus on this Olympics with the athletes.
The Sports activities Affiliation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China invited veteran sports activities photographer Brian Cheng to {photograph} numerous Olympic athletes. On the identical time, 4 younger photographers Calum Lau, Jason Chan, Yuet Lee and Emil Leung took photographs of various younger athletes, utilizing mild and shadow to current the opposite facet of the athletes outdoors the stadium, and to elaborate on their sports activities goals and targets.
“Eye on the Olympics” Athletes Photograph Touring Exhibition
Date: June 14 to August 16
Location: East Level Metropolis, Hold Hau (June 14-19), MegaBox, Kowloon Bay (June 24-July 1), Nina Tower, Tsuen Wan (June 24-July 11), Yue Man Sq., Kwun Tong (July 3-10), Olympian Metropolis, Tai Kok Tsui (July 11-22), D PARK, Tsuen Wan (July 22-August 16), Suncity Plaza, Ma On Shan (July 26-30), Metro Metropolis Plaza III, Tseung Kwan O (August 7-11)
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