Xinhua News Agency, Xi’an, September 21st (Reporters Li Hao, Chen Di) On the 21st, a historic scene was staged in the 14th National Games Mountain Bike Race in Huangling County, Shaanxi Province: Guizhou Wheel Track Bicycle Sports Club Player Mi Jiujiang was the first to fly across the finish line and won the men’s gold medal. His teammate Chen Keyu won third place, and defending champion Lu Xianjing ranked second.
This National Games Mountain Bike Race is held in the Huangling National Forest Park on the southern edge of northern Shaanxi. The race field is designed with climbing sections, gravel sections and forest sections based on mountains, hills, river valleys and other landforms. There are undulating gravel ramps, as well as wooden platforms and steep slopes, which combine speed and skill challenges. Many athletes and coaches said in the previous few days of training that this competition is more difficult than ordinary domestic competitions, and it is very challenging. Hong Kong female athlete Guan Zhijun fell during training and said goodbye to the competition in advance.
At 9 o’clock in the morning, the sunrise was getting higher, the clouds were cleared, the birds were flying low, and the men’s event started. The 29-year-old Mi Jiujiang overtook the defending champion Lu Xianjing, who had been leading before, on the third lap and kept the lead until the end. Guizhou has won a precious gold medal. His teammate Chen Keyu won the third place, and the wheel track cycling club from Guizhou became the biggest winner of the National Games mountain bike race.
In the 13th National Games four years ago, mountain biking opened its doors to amateurs for the first time. Mi Jiujiang was one of the only five “grassroots” players at the time. He participated as a personal player and finished in 18th place.
At this National Games, more athletes will participate in clubs and individuals. Mi Jiujiang represents the Guizhou Wheel Track Bicycle Sports Club this time. He has made significant progress in the past few years. In 2019, he was also selected for the national team of the Asian Mountain Bike Championship.
Speaking of winning the championship after the game, he said excitedly: “Dreams are always necessary, in case it comes true.”
For this dream, Mi Jiujiang put in too much effort.
After graduating from university, Mi Jiujiang obtained a teacher qualification certificate. He had to go to the middle school in his hometown to sign a contract to teach. At the last moment, he chose the sports career he loves. He worked in rock climbing and other outdoor projects. It was not until the end of 2016. Began to specialize in mountain biking.
At that time, Mi Jiujiang’s wish was to catch up with Lu Zhenghu, the “amateur car king” in Guizhou. Later, Lu Zhenghu became Mi Jiujiang’s coach.
In those years, the logistical support of the club was not perfect, and there was even no team doctor. Lu Zhenghu said that Mi Jiujiang had sprained his foot during training and competition, and he was so swollen that he couldn’t wear his shoes. He went to the toilet to flush with water. As long as he could ride, he had to take it. This is not only Mi Jiujiang’s dream, but also All of him.
In the past, Mi Jiujiang also retreated. He felt that the amateur player’s road was too narrow, his development was limited, and his future was bleak, so he planned to open a farm. For this reason, his friends in the circle kindly called him the “Mi Boss”.
Now, the “Boss Rice” who won the National Games champion no longer has to worry about his future.
Lu Zhenghu simply attributed this to “The State Sports General Administration and the Provincial Sports Bureau are too supportive of our amateur players.” In March 2018, the Guizhou Provincial Sports Bureau and the Guizhou Wheel Track Cycling Club jointly formed a team to jointly explore the mode of joint construction of professional team clubs. Lu Zhenghu said that mountain biking is now in the best environment in history, “Mi Jiujiang and Chen Keyu also fulfilled my dream for me.”
Sparrows can also fly to the sky.
It is precisely because of this that Chen Keyu, a 20-year-old accounting college student, was able to win the third runner-up of “Dare to Dream”. After the race, Chen Keyu cried with joy, buried his head in the car seat and kept crying until he reached the podium. The shy boy was still wiping his tears.
Guizhou Wheel Track Bicycle Sports Club coach Yi Jian said that although Chen Keyu has only trained for two years, he has paid a lot. In winter training, he has to ride 200 kilometers a day at most, seven or eight hours without stopping. When he is thirsty and hungry, he will ride and drink. I often vomit when I drink two bites of bread with water.
Mi Jiujiang and Chen Keyu, who walked off the podium, were surrounded by the crowd. The two of them enjoyed the feeling of success very much. They signed and took pictures together, and couldn’t help but laugh shyly. (over)
.