Chinese women's shot put star Gong Lijiao, who participated in the Asian Games for the fourth time, won her third consecutive Asian Games title in Hangzhou with 19.58 meters.
In fact, the 34-year-old Gong Lijiao has already realized her dream of winning the Olympic Games and the World Grand Slam, but she plans to compete in the Paris Olympic cycle again.
"Because I've always had an unfinished limit goal – 21 meters!" In an exclusive interview with a reporter from Beijing Youth Daily, Gong Lijiao said, "I especially want to challenge this limit, it makes me train every day with strong motivation and energy." ”
Beijing Youth Daily: You have won three consecutive championships in this Asian Games, but for an athlete who has won gold medals in the Olympic Games and World Championships, is this stage more about comparing yourself with yourself?
Gong Lijiao: Yes, as I get older, I can feel that my body is recovering more and more slowly. However, before this Asian Games, training is still possible. I wanted to break through 20m at the Hangzhou Asian Games, but the final result was 19.58m, which was still a little unhappy. In fact, after returning from the World Championships, there was some physical discomfort, which may have disrupted the rhythm of Asian Games preparations.
Beijing Youth Daily: As a 34-year-old veteran, what is the biggest challenge for you at this stage?
Gong Lijiao: I think it is still a decline in physical function, including injuries and physical recovery, which are obviously not as good as before. For example, when I was young, I threw 200 times a day, and the next day I was still alive and there was nothing, but now I cast 20 times a day, and I may not feel good the next day. I feel that my physical function has declined, and it takes much longer to recover after training than before. So in terms of physical distribution, I have to pay more attention.
Beijing Youth Daily: Many people want to know, why are you still fighting at this age?
Gong Lijiao: After winning the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, many people said that you have achieved fame, is it time to retire bravely, save yourself a body injury, and then you can't get the ranking, what a shame. But for me, the goal may be different, I am pursuing the limit of performance, which is to break through 21 meters. Why I keep gritting my teeth because I have dreams and strength, although daily training is boring, but just thinking about the goal of 21 meters, I am very energetic and motivated.
At my age, without much extra motivation, I've reached this level, and I still want to practice, I want to achieve my goals.
Beijing Youth Daily: What are your plans after the Asian Games?
Gong Lijiao: First rest for a while, and start winter training around October 20th. After all, it's close to the Paris Olympics, and I need to stabilize it in the technical side, and the technology is not good enough. As I get older, the movement is not as stretchy as I used to be, but I want to stretch as much as possible. At the same time, strength is also my weakness, and if I want to challenge the 21 meters, I need to strengthen my strength.
Beijing Youth Daily: What are your goals for the Paris Olympics?
Gong Lijiao: I definitely want to defend my title, and throw 21 meters at the same time, which is also my ultimate goal. To achieve it, which is easier said than done, I need to sum up the problem, make up for the shortcomings during the winter training period, and hope that the Paris Olympics will have a good performance.
Beijing Youth Daily: Many people think that no matter what you achieve at the Paris Olympics, your career is perfect.
Gong Lijiao: I have won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Olympic Games and the World Championships, but I still hope that I can always maintain a particularly good competitive condition in this event. Even on the day I retire, I want to stay at a high level of competition, and it may just be my age, I really can't practice or someone behind me can really come up, then it's time for me to leave the arena.
Beijing Youth Daily: Every athlete has a curtain call, what do you think?
Gong Lijiao: There is no banquet in the world, and I want to make the Chinese women's shot put the ultimate sport. At the same time, I want to drive this project, hope that the outside world will pay more attention to us fat girls, and hope that the Chinese women's shot put can stand at the top of the world. Personally, I still have to get things done right now.
Beijing Youth Daily: If you really retire, what do you want to do the most?
Gong Lijiao: Lose weight, get married, grow long hair, at least lose 80 pounds, otherwise my heart load is too large, which is not good for my health. I've had short hair since I was a sports student as a kid. I now train three times a day, just washing my hair three times. If you have long hair, it's a waste of time, then you can fulfill your long-haired wish after retirement, haha.
Column editor-in-chief: Zhao Hanlu Text editor: Song Hui Title image source: Xinhua News Agency Photo editor: Cao Liyuan
Source: Author: Beijing Youth Daily