Feng Bin, a 30-year-old discus thrower from the Chinese mainland, is gearing up to compete for the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Her journey has been marked by resilience and remarkable performances that have positioned her as a top contender on the global stage.
Feng made her Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, finishing among the top competitors. Despite a setback in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where she failed to reach the final, Feng's determination remained unshaken. Her exceptional performances in 2022 and 2023 have solidified her confidence and commitment to her Olympic aspirations.
At the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on July 20, 2022, Feng achieved a personal best of 69.12 meters, securing the gold medal and ending an 11-year title drought for Chinese athletes in the women's discus throw event. Reflecting on her victory, Feng shared, \"I felt such a relief at that moment because I proved I could do it. Many didn't think I could win before the final, but I won it in the end. I proved myself.\"
The following year, in Budapest, Hungary, Feng added a bronze medal to her accolades with a throw of 68.2 meters, marking the second-best performance of her career and ensuring her qualification for the Paris Olympics. Consistently performing over 67 meters in the 2024 season, she currently ranks third in the world behind Cuba's Yaime Perez and the USA's Valarie Allman.
Beyond her physical prowess, Feng approaches discus throw with the grace of a ballet dancer, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and coordination. \"I'm in a good form now,\" Feng stated. \"I just focus on training and improving my performance. As long as I can maintain regular practice, I won't perform badly in Paris. My goal of the year is definitely to win the gold at the 2024 Olympics.\"
Reference(s):
Chinese discus thrower Feng Bin to 'dance' again at 2024 Olympic Games
cgtn.com
