Qi Guangpu held high the national flag to celebrate the gold harvest. Photo: Xinhua News Agency
On the evening of February 16, 31-year-old Qi Guangpu stood on the men's final of the Beijing Winter Olympics freestyle skiing aerial skills, and in the second round of the final, he took out the current men's extreme action - Back/Double Full-Full-Double Full, which has a difficulty coefficient of 5.0, and jumped to win the 7th gold of the Chinese delegation at the Winter Olympics with 129 points. The veteran of the 4-game Winter Olympics once again took the podium at his doorstep, and finally won 1 gold and 1 silver.
aftertaste
"This last jump is thrilling"
Qi Guangpu is the "king of difficulty" of the Chinese air skills men's team. He has been practicing this move (difficulty factor 5.0) at Genting Ski Park since 10 years ago. At the 2013 World Championships, Qi Guangpu, then 22 years old, took out this big move and scored 138 points, becoming the world's first player to successfully challenge the difficulty ceiling.
Nowadays, there are no less than ten athletes who can master this action, and 5 of the 6 players in the second round of the final of this Winter Olympic Games have come up with 5.0. This time, Qi Guangpu, who has passed the age, is still the final winner.
"The last jump was really thrilling." When the new Olympic champion recalled it, he bluntly said that there was no danger. Not only is this the first time he has challenged 5.0 at the Olympic Games, but this season and even in the past few years, he has not practiced much, "because challenging extremely difficult moves requires good timing and place, and requires physical and mental state to be fully prepared." Qi Guangpu introduced that the last time he practiced this action, or the next day's training after the mixed team final, the individual final played alone, 5.0 is his only choice, but also the obsession in his heart, "I skipped 5.0 in the World Cup and the World Championships, but I have not yet succeeded in the Olympic Games." ”
When the veteran landed smoothly and slid to the finish line, his excitement and joy unfolded unreservedly on his facial expressions and waving fists. But Qi Guangpu revealed to the Beijing News reporter: "I also can't believe it, because the air feels that the action is slightly worse, but fortunately it is successful, and it is also a thrill." "The Chinese veteran was not influenced by the five opponents in the final and focused on his own actions. He believes that it is the courage of the top masters to challenge the limits that inspires him to strengthen his determination and make up his mind.
Qi Guangpu fought in the final. Photo: Xinhua News Agency
truth
Did not live up to the brother Jia Zongyang
The Chinese Air Skills Team has three "Four Dynasties Elders" of the Winter Olympics – Xu Mengtao, Jia Zongyang and Qi Guangpu. Together, they competed in the mixed team final and won the silver medal. In the men's qualifiers, the Chinese team competed in full quota, and it was Qi Guangpu and Jia Zongyang who finally reached the final as "Big Brother".
In the first round of the final, Jia Zongyang made a mistake in the second jump, and regrettably missed the second round of the final. Qi Guangpu could only face the competition from the other 5 players in the second round alone. "When I knew that he (Jia Zongyang) didn't have a chance to play in the final round, there was a little bit of regret. In the final round, I fought by myself, and I was a little lonely. Fortunately, I did not live up to the expectations of the whole team, nor did I live up to the strength that Jia Zongyang gave me, and I am very grateful to my team. ”
The two veterans joined hands in four Winter Olympics, but were never able to take the podium at the same time in individual competitions. Jia Zongyang saw his teammates and brothers standing on the highest podium, congratulated from the bottom of his heart, and felt that it was not easy to support each other along the way.
"Whoever wins the championship, the other will be sincerely blessed." Qi Guangpu said, "But there is only one competitive sports champion, although today I won the championship, my good brother Jia Zongyang did not win, but this gold medal is won by our China." ”
After the game, Qi Guangpu has always emphasized the team's efforts, especially the help brought by the coaching team that combines Chinese and Western, and their professional command has helped him find the most accurate wind direction and speed and formulate the most reasonable strategy. Qi Guangpu said that after returning to the Winter Olympic Village, he should celebrate the gold medal with the whole team as soon as possible.
Qi Guangpu celebrated the hard-won gold medal. Photo: Xinhua News Agency
future
No fear of age continues to settle
After the mixed team final, Qi Guangpu said that he would give the awarded "Golden Pier" to his daughter. In order to prepare for the Winter Olympics on his doorstep, he sacrificed time to take care of his family, and his wife and daughter were his strongest support. On the evening of the 16th, when Qi Guangpu launched another attack on the gold medal, his wife and daughter paid attention to the person they loved most in front of the TV.
When asked what he wanted to say to his family, Qi Guangpu sold xiaguanzi in a small way: "There are a lot of things I want to say, so let's wait until I go home." In an instant, laughter echoed throughout the press room, and the atmosphere came alive.
Qi Guangpu is about to return home with 1 gold and 1 silver to enjoy a rare reunion time. But for the veteran, the Winter Olympics is not yet the end. What does age mean? His answer was "experience and precipitation", "As you get older, you will encounter more failures and setbacks, and your determination to get up again will be greater." When you stand on the field, you will be more distracted to focus on the moment and do every action. Age is not a constraint for athletes, as long as there are dreams, as long as they are willing to persevere, age is not a problem. ”
Qi Guangpu said that it is necessary to review the journey of the 4th Winter Olympics, summarize the gains and shortcomings, and "precipitate well and become better." ”
Beijing News reporter Liu Chen Zhou Xiao
Edited by Wang Chunqiu Proofreader Yang Xuli