Chinese shot-put legend Gong Lijiao, 35, is gearing up for her fifth—and final—Olympic appearance in Paris, determined to defend her title with a mix of veteran grit and technical innovation. 🏋️♀️ The Tokyo 2021 gold medalist, who threw a personal best of 20.58 meters to claim victory, says this chapter is all about savoring the moment while chasing glory.
📢 'Life doesn’t have enough years for me to keep competing,' Gong told interviewers, reflecting on her decades-long career. 'I’ve won everything—now I just want to enjoy the stage and challenge myself.' But don’t mistake her Zen approach for complacency. 🔥 'My goal is definitely gold. I **can** do it,' she declared, crediting coach Dieter Kollark’s adjustments to her throwing technique for boosting her performance.
💡 Fun fact: Gong had to relearn her signature slide move after 20 years! 'At first, changing felt impossible,' she admitted. 'But faster movements = better results. Trust the process!'
As she prepares to represent China one last time, Gong’s story isn’t just about medals—it’s a masterclass in reinvention. Who says you can’t teach an Olympic champ new tricks? 🇨🇳
