January 9, 2024, is not an ordinary day for Chinese track and field. First of all, I have to mention our long-distance running hero and Olympic champion Wang Junxia, today is her birthday. Wang Junxia's story is really a legend. Back then, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, she not only won the gold medal in the women's 5,000 meters, but also snatched the silver medal in the women's 10,000 meters and went home, becoming a big legend in Chinese track and field.
But the beginning of this story has to start on January 2, 2024. On that day, the first rays of sunshine of the new year shone on the Red Army Primary School in Dongji Guomen, and the school held a special "first physical education class of the new year". Guess who's coming? That's right, it's Wang Junxia, our "Oriental Divine Deer". She not only brought positive energy to the children, but also made them feel the charm of sports.
Let's talk about Li Shifeng, today is also his birthday. He won the gold medal in badminton at the Youth Olympic Games, and such an achievement is naturally worthy of respect and blessing.
Wang Junxia's story began with an ordinary farmer's family. On January 19, 1973, she was born in Jiaohe City, Jilin Province, her father was a breeding worker and her mother was a domestic farmer. Despite the difficult conditions, Wang Junxia cultivated a strong will in such an environment.
There is also a person in her family who fights against fate - her brother Wang Mingzhan. In 1990, he enlisted in the army, but unfortunately suffered a car accident three years later, which was undoubtedly a huge blow to the young Wang Junxia.
Wang Junxia's track and field journey began at school. When she was in Houyan Primary School in Dalian Bay, she always won the championship easily in the 1500-meter run. When she was in middle school, she was selected for the Liaoning Provincial Track and Field Team and began professional training.
At the 1993 World Athletics Championships, Wang Junxia won the gold medal in the 10,000 meters, and in the same year, she also broke the women's 3,000 meters and 10,000 meters world records, shocking the world.
But Wang's athletic career has not been without its challenges. In 1994, she and several other female athletes left coach Ma Junren en masse, which became a legend in the history of Chinese sports.
Wang Junxia at the Atlanta Olympics, who was only 23 years old at the time, created an incredible miracle. She won the women's 5,000m without even having the flag ready on the field, but that didn't detract from her moment of glory. She also won a silver medal in the 10,000m at the same Olympics, becoming the first Chinese athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in long-distance running, earning her the reputation of "Oriental Divine Deer".
Wang Junxia's story is also full of challenges and ups and downs. Before 1996, she had gone through tough times, but those challenges made her an unbeatable champion. At just 23 years old, she opted to retire, a decision that was incomprehensible to many.
After retiring, Wang Junxia's life path became more colorful. In 1997, she made her public relationship with football player Zhan Yu and registered her marriage in Shenyang. The wedding was officiated by Zhao Benshan, and many celebrities in the sports world attended. In 2002, she gave birth to a son, but in 2006, the marriage ended in divorce. Wang Junxia left Zhan Yu a house and a son, and went to Shanghai to develop.
In 2008, Wang Junxia married Huang Tianwen and gave birth to her daughter Danting. But this marriage also came to an end in 2015. After the divorce, Huang Tianwen published a book accusing Wang Junxia of living a luxurious life, which attracted media attention.
In the same year, Wang Junxia remarried Xiamen businessman Li Huiyang. It is worth mentioning that Wang Junxia and Ma Junren finally reconciled. Now Wang Junxia and her husband are raising three children together, and this big family is diverse and harmonious.
In addition to the ups and downs of her personal life, Wang Junxia has also made significant achievements in her career. From 1991 to 2000, her average annual income in the field of sports was about 6 million, totaling about 60 million.
Look, Wang Junxia's story is not just as simple as an Olympic gold medal. Her life is like a movie with ups and downs. Her persistence, challenges, love, and life are all things we should learn from Xi.