At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Su Yiming of the Chinese team won the silver medal in men's steeplechase skills in snowboarding and the gold medal in the men's big jump in snowboarding, becoming the first gold medal and the first men's medal winner in the history of the Winter Olympics of the Snowboarding Event of the Chinese delegation. On February 18, the day of Su Yiming's 18th birthday, a reporter from this newspaper conducted an exclusive interview with the "blockbuster" Olympian in Beijing.
"Winning a gold medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics has always been a dream for me and my coach"
Reporter: In the final of the big jump, you chose the difficult transfer 1800 in the first jump and successfully landed, how did you formulate the strategy before the game? What do you think of the venues of the Beijing Winter Olympics?
Su Yiming: In fact, there was no special tactics arranged before the game, because it was expected that all the players in the final would take out their two most difficult actions, and there would be no overly simple or conservative actions, so what I had to do was to do my best in my two actions, which was also the only way to win the championship.
In terms of venues, whether it's a big jump or a slope obstacle, it's the best venue I've ever encountered. What impressed me was that the prop area of the "Snow Great Wall" incorporated a lot of Chinese elements, such as beacon towers and corner towers, which have a unique style and a very comfortable angle. In such a venue, every player can inspire more ideas and inspiration, and strive to achieve them on the field.
Reporter: After winning the championship, you cried loudly when you hugged the coach, giving people a feeling of releasing all emotions. What did you say to the coach at that moment, what was going on in your heart?
Su Yiming: I said "I did it" (I did it). Winning the Championship at the Beijing Winter Olympics is really a dream that Coach Sato and I have always had, a particularly big dream. In the past 4 years, we have been thinking about this all the time, only each other knows how much they have paid for this gold medal, how much they have sacrificed, including in the polishing of many actions, and encountered many, very, very difficulties that need to be overcome. So the moment the dream came true, he was the first person I wanted to share this joy, and I was very excited, I did it, we all did it.
Reporter: In the previous slope obstacle course, you also had a very wonderful performance, but in the end you passed by the gold medal. You said after the game that everyone who entered the final was the first, so that the world could see the demeanor and pattern of the Chinese team players, but at the same time, will you have some regrets in your heart?
Su Yiming: Like I said, everyone is the best, I think so from the bottom of my heart. Because my goal is never to get the first place, but to learn and improve in the competition and show the best version of myself. If I can't complete the planned action, I won't be very happy even if I get the first place. On the day of the slope obstacle course, I had completed my most difficult set of moves, and it was also a big breakthrough, so I didn't have any regrets.
In the Winter Olympics, until the last player finishes the game, you never know what kind of ranking you will get, but as long as you complete the action you want to complete, it is already a victory. And I always believe that as long as I do my best, I will be able to break into the top three and stand on the podium.
Reporter: You met a lot of like-minded friends on the way to skiing, did you meet new friends on the beijing Winter Olympics?
Su Yiming: In fact, we are already old friends, because the faces of these 30 contestants in the world will appear in every previous World Cup, every competition, every training venue, and probably they are the ones I have seen the most in the past year and a half. Everyone is in different parts of the world, but they are all doing the same thing, they all have the same love for snowboarding, and they have long been a big family. We are temporary opponents on the field, but under the field are eternal friends and brothers.
"Standing on the snowboard is the happiest time, because of love to get to this day"
Reporter: When you were 4 years old, you first came into contact with skiing, and the first snowboard was an adult snowboard sent by your father that was more than 20 centimeters higher than you. Since then, skiing has become the only magic weapon that can pull you out of the winter bed, where do you think the charm of snowboarding is?
Su Yiming: I have only one word to describe snowboarding, that is, love, love from the heart. Standing on the snowboard is when I am most happy. No matter how tired and hard the training is, seven or eight hours in a row is a pleasure for me. The only difference between being a professional skater and being a hobbyist may be that I need to spend more time and more energy on the things I love. It is because of my love that I have come to this day.
Reporter: "Have fun" and "Just be happy" are words you often mention in the competition, what kind of attitude do you have towards skiing?
Su Yiming: Actually, it's like this, have fun and enjoy the process. Whether it's a race training or a ski shoot, it's all about enjoyment. So I'm going to do my best to enjoy snowboarding.
I especially enjoy skiing in the spring. Because the weather is very warm in the spring, if you only wear a T-shirt to ski, it is a completely different feeling from wearing a down jacket. Wearing very little, the body is very light, and the snow is relatively soft, this time the body will be more relaxed, easy to do some fun, novel movements. In fact, for a long time, I have not left snowboarding for a year and 12 months, and I have chased snow and run wherever there is snow.
Reporter: In 2019, you were still doing 1080 and 1260 moves, and by October 2021, you had completed the internal rotation 1980 degree grab, setting a Guinness World Record. Why was it possible to achieve such a big breakthrough in such a short period of time?
Su Yiming: In fact, this breakthrough is still not easy for me, it can be said to be a qualitative leap. For the degree of increase in these several turns, a lot of effort has been made, and it is necessary to go through hundreds of exercises, as well as constantly pondering the problems and essentials between the movements. Maybe no one has completed such a big action breakthrough in such a short period of time before, in my opinion, is to follow the love in my heart. I'm particularly interested in completing new challenges because I love the sense of accomplishment and joy of having a goal and then working on it for a while, which I don't experience in other sports or anything else.
"During the epidemic, I was able to train normally thanks to the support of a strong motherland"
Reporter: When did you know the news of the successful bid for the Winter Olympics, and what did you think at that time?
Su Yiming: As a ski enthusiast, I have been following up since I learned that China plans to bid for the Winter Olympics. On July 31, 2015, we won the right to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, which was the biggest good news in China at that time, I stood in front of the TV and watched the live broadcast, everyone was boiling, cheering and celebrating, but at that moment I was in a very calm state, very calm, just thinking about one thing - since there is such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it must be seized.
I feel fortunate to have caught up with the Winter Olympics "on my doorstep" and hitched a ride on the express train of the whole country to vigorously develop ice and snow sports, and not everyone can have such a good opportunity. So I also firmly believe that I must challenge myself through this platform, which also has great significance for my life.
Reporter: You said after the game that the coach is the person you are most grateful for, can you tell the story between you?
Su Yiming: I saw him coaching athletes when I was very young, when he was already one of the best coaches in the world, and I admired him, admired him, and longed to get his guidance. Later, because of an opportunity, we started to train together, and I really felt very excited at that time, and the happiest thing every day was to listen to him tell me some technical essentials and problems, and I couldn't wait to hear more about his insights on snowboarding. My previous understanding of the sport may still be on the surface, after training with him, he told me about the history and development of snowboarding, let me see a completely different world, I am very grateful to him. So much has happened in the last few years that every moment we've experienced together has been the most precious and memorable.
Reporter: Can the training be carried out normally during the epidemic? In terms of preparation for war, what levels of guarantee does the state provide, and what benefits you the most?
Su Yiming: During the epidemic, the training will be carried out normally, and it is actually the same as usual. In such an environment, we can still train normally, and the most important thing to thank is our motherland, which provides us with strong support. Whether it is training, diet or accommodation, all aspects of the protection are comprehensive. The most important thing is the recovery after training, which is particularly exhausting after a day of practice, and it needs to be relaxed enough to ensure better training the next day.
On October 1 last year, national day, we flew more than 8,000 kilometers to Switzerland to start the preparation training for the new snow season. Returned to Beijing on January 18 this year, a full 110 days of external training, traveled to 4 countries, participated in 5 World Cup matches, and brought back the results of ranking first in the total number of points in the FIS World Cup and ranking third in slope obstacle skills this season. During this time, I grew taller, stronger, stronger, more confident.
"This year's birthday wish has been fulfilled, hoping to bring more positive energy to young people"
Reporter: How do you plan to celebrate this year's birthday? Can you tell us about your birthday wishes?
Su Yiming: Birthday must have been spent with everyone in the team, longevity noodles are a must eat, in the morning also called home, this time can finally sit at the adult's table, haha!
When it comes to this year's birthday wish, it has actually come true, because I have been hoping to get a Winter Olympic gold medal before my 18th birthday for the past few years as my most precious birthday gift. In addition, I have a desire to enter the ideal university. I will be going to Chengdu to study in May this year, and there are many plans for the future, whether it is academics, film and television, or snowboarding, I will continue to move forward towards the set goals as always. I feel that my wonderful life has just begun, and I may face more difficulties and challenges in the future, and I hope that I can always remember my original intention.
Reporter: In addition to skiing, surfing, and listening to music, what other hobbies do you usually have?
Su Yiming: I often watch movies, turn my favorite movies over and over again, and study why people can act so well. Sometimes I brush my phone, but I don't have any games on my phone, basically I just go online to watch my ski videos, or pay attention to some information and updates about skiing.
In terms of diet, ice cream is my favorite, because I am a particularly positive person myself, eating sweet things will be happier, and then I can pass on my positive energy to more people, so that everyone can spend every day in a happy atmosphere.
Reporter: It is said that you converted the basement of your home into your own ski studio?
Su Yiming: In fact, the basement was first requisitioned by me temporarily, and when I was a child, I didn't know that I would go down this road in the future, but I just wanted to use the used ski equipment as a souvenir and collect it in different categories. This time, I will also bring back a series of equipment such as clothes, boards, helmets, and snow mirrors for the Winter Olympics and display them in the most conspicuous position.
There is also my gold pier, which not only has a very important meaning for me, but also has a very cute design. I now put it in my bag wherever I go, and I want to show it to everyone, and when it is finished, I have to carefully put it in my bag and bring it back. This time home may not only be in the basement, the hall will be requisitioned by me.
You have a lot of idols on skiing, like McMorris, Sean White, and you've said you're trying to be the next Marcus. Nowadays, there are many children who want to try to become the next Su Yiming after watching your game, how do you feel about this?
Su Yiming: I also came from that stage, and I know very well how important the power of an idol is to a person. I am also trying to do my best, so that all those who like me and support me can see a more sunny Su Yiming, so that everyone can see my love for snowboarding and the spirit of the things I pursue. I also hope to give you more inspiration and let everyone go in the right direction.
What I would say to teenage skiers is that pursuing your inner love is the most important thing. However, when trying difficult moves, be sure to pay attention to the gradual steps, practice in a safe situation, improve little by little, and enjoy the joy of skiing.
(China News Network)