The world's finest athletes are relentless in their uncompromising demands on themselves, and Gong Lijiao fits the bill perfectly.
In the opening leg of the 2024 Diamond League in Xiamen, the 35-year-old Chinese veteran defied the skeptics and emerged victorious in the women's shot put, outclassing reigning world champion Chase Jackson and a host of other formidable contenders. Despite achieving her personal best for the season, Gong didn't exhibit much jubilation afterward. Instead, she candidly confessed her dissatisfaction with her own performance.
\"Due to the rain, my warm-up activities were not as thorough as I would have liked,\" reflected Gong. \"Being in competition with so many elite athletes, it's only natural that I aimed for the title. However, I'm not entirely content with my performance, and I hope to break the 20-meter mark as soon as possible.\"
Reference(s):
China's Gong pips American world champion to Diamond League gold
cgtn.com
