Guo Yiqi’s previous competition photos (data map).Photo courtesy of Nansha District Government
Chinanews Guangzhou News, July 17th Title: Guangzhou girl Guo Yiqi goes to the Tokyo Olympics
Author Wang Jian Xie Ziliang
The list of the Chinese sports delegation for the Tokyo Olympics was officially announced on July 14. Among them, Guo Yiqi from Donglong Village, Dagang Town, Nansha District, Guangzhou City was successfully selected as a female athlete of the national fencing team. The women’s saber team will participate in the fencing event of the Tokyo Olympics. Match.
“I feel very happy and excited to be able to participate in the Olympics. I finally realized my Olympic dream. The whole person is boiling.” Guo Yiqi, who will leave with the team to Tokyo on July 19, shared with reporters via mobile phone during preparations. To express her excitement, “I am participating in a team competition this time. I hope to work hard with my teammates to show our best state and stand on the podium to win glory for the country.”
Become a fencer due to a tall “accident”
Guo Yiqi’s relationship with fencing was actually an “accidental” event. When Guo Yiqi was in the third grade, a coach from Panyu Sports School came to Donglong Primary School to select children who were suitable for learning fencing. Guo Yiqi grew up tall and was selected to perform several exercises to test her physical coordination as required.
“It just feels very novel and fun.” Guo Yiqi recalled that after she returned home, she shared this interesting story with her parents. As a result, her parents also supported her daughter to try to learn.
Six months after entering the school, Guo Yiqi was selected to continue training at the Guangzhou Sports School for her outstanding performance, and was later transferred to the secondary school attached to the Ersha Training Center in Guangdong Province to participate in training. After years of training, Guo Yiqi gradually fell in love with fencing and took it as her career. “I like playing team matches very much. Whether it’s behind or ahead, everyone is cheering together and sharing happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy, just like a big family.” Guo Yiqi said.
The reporter learned that in 2013, Guo Yiqi won the eighth place in the individual World Youth Championships, participated in the national youth training in the same year, and later won the first place in the individual and the first place in the team at the Asian Youth Championship. In 2015, he was selected into the national team. 2016 was the year when Guo Yiqi won the first national individual championship, ranking first in the total points of the national competition.
Guo Yiqi participated in the previous competition photos (data map).Photo courtesy of Nansha District Government
Overcome injury and finally realize your dream
Behind the realization of the Olympic dream, there is more Guo Yiqi’s sweat from gritting her teeth again and again, and her persistence in returning to the top from the trough of injury. “Participating in the Olympics has always been my dream. In the last Olympics, I was injured and missed the Olympics. At that time, I thought my career was about to end.”
It turned out that in May 2018, at the World Cup in Russia, Guo Yiqi was in a fierce confrontation with her opponent on the court, and she suddenly “jumped” and she lay on the ground.
Guo Yiqi thought at the time, “It’s over, something is going to happen!” Later, after examination, she was diagnosed with a ruptured meniscus injury on the anterior ligament of her left knee. The doctor said that she should avoid strenuous exercise as much as possible even after healed. After undergoing surgery and rehabilitation training, Guo Yiqi was able to be discharged from the hospital to continue participating in fencing training, but her injuries recurred again and again, sometimes causing her depression. “I get angry with myself every time the injury recurs, and I feel that something must be done well enough to make it relapse again.”
Later, Guo Yiqi will practice rehabilitation exercises when others are resting, and deal with each exercise carefully. “Because I have to pay more than others to be like a player who has not undergone surgery. Gradually, this self-encouragement has become a belief.” She frankly said that with the support of the coach and family members, she carried out After a long rehabilitation training, he returned to the national team after a difficult time.
“Participating in the Olympics is my dream. Even in the hardest time, I did not give up this dream.” Now, Guo Yiqi is selected as a 15-member Chinese fencing team to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, finally fulfilling her Olympic dream. (Finish)
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