Chinese fencing superstar Sun Yiwen has her sights set on the 2024 Paris Olympics, determined to leave no regrets on the piste. 🤺✨
Sun faced one of the toughest moments in her career during the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, when the Chinese women's epee team fell to South Korea and Italy, missing out on a medal. An injury sustained against South Korea haunted her for a long time. 🩹😓
After competing in the Chinese National Games in Shaanxi Province in September 2021, Sun took a much-needed break to recover. She didn't return to international competition until November 2022, and it took her months to regain her form. 🏋️♀️💪
\"I took a vacation and then started over,\" Sun told China Media Group (CMG). \"I rebuilt my skills and rethought about my performance. I think it opened my mind.\" 🌅🧘♀️
By July 2023, Sun was back on the podium, securing the bronze medal in the women's individual epee at the World Championships in Milan, Italy. 🥉🇮🇹
However, the Chinese women's epee team continued to face challenges. They lost to Hong Kong, China, in the semifinals at the Asian Championships in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, in June 2023, and finished 12th at the World Championships a month later, putting their Olympic qualification in jeopardy. 😬⏳
But like true warriors, they bounced back at the FIE Women's Epee World Cup in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, in March. The team defeated Hong Kong, China, in the Round of 16 and took down world No. 1 South Korea in the quarterfinals, ultimately earning the silver medal and a spot at the 2024 Olympic Games. 🎉🥈🇨🇳
\"When we finished that bout, I felt like the pressure on my shoulders was gone by half,\" Sun said. \"I was like, 'Man, this is harder than the Olympics.'\" 😅🎯
With one Olympic gold (individual), one silver (team), and one bronze (individual) already under her belt, Sun is ready to chase new heights in Paris. 🏆🌍
\"I already won the Olympic title, so now I just want to leave no regret as a fencer,\" Sun told CMG. \"If I'm given the chance, I want to try every possibility.\" ✨💖
Reference(s):
Chinese fencer Sun Yiwen wants to leave no regret at 2024 Olympics
cgtn.com
