Sideline Story

Chinese golfer will shine at Olympics: Feng Shanshan

In this special edition of Sideline Story, we bring you exclusive interviews with former LPGA world number one Feng Shanshan and Chinese women’s hurdler Wu Yanni. Feng, retired now from professional golf, was an Olympic medalist in Rio 2016, while Wu, making her Olympic debut in Paris, represents new forces of Chinese track and field athletes. The two sportswomen shared their thoughts about competing in the Olympics and their anticipation for Paris 2024.

Duration:: 12m
Broadcast on:: 25 Jul 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

Hello and welcome to Sideline's story, your destination for sports news, analysis and discussions. Amiens Guam, Clark is taking for the opening of the Paris Olympics, and athletes are vying for the Olympic Glories. In this special edition of the podcast, we bring you exclusive interviews with two renowned Chinese sports women who share their insights about their own Olympic experience and anticipation. Feng Shanshan is former LPGA World Number One, besides the superwares she earned on the tour, Feng also won the women's bronze medal in the Real Olympics in 2016. In an interview with CGT and Shenxian, Feng expressed her confidence in the country's young generation of golfers. Take a listen. The leading announcement to retire in 2022, three days before your birthday, house life after retirement. Life is great because I had a goal. My plan was actually just to play 10 years on the LPGA and retired, but the plan was changed because of the Tokyo Olympics that you know, because I attended the Real Olympics on 2016 and I got a bronze medal, but I still really wanted to give another chance, give myself another chance to maybe chase for the gold. So that's why I was like, you know what, 31, you know, that's not too old. So maybe I can give it another try. So that's what I did. And even though I didn't, you know, had a great finish, but I thought that was it. I kept up and you know, I retired after the Olympics and I would say that you know, since then, it's been almost three years now and life has changed a lot. I lost a lot of weight and I got married and also I had my baby. My baby was just born. So I'm experiencing a totally different life compared to before and everything's so excited and I'm still enjoying it. You became the first Chinese golfer to win an Olympic medal in 2016. Can you tell us about the bronze medal, you're well and you're real? What were you thinking at that time and then looking back, what does it mean to you now? I still can remember, you know, at that time, I mean back in real. I was standing on the podium, you know, even though it wasn't the Chinese flag raising or the Chinese national song playing, but you know, standing on the podium, it was so different and I was so nervous before then. And it was a very special experience because I thought that was my, well, that was my first Olympic Games and I thought that it might be my last Olympic Games also. So I did give myself a little pressure, I also said a little goal. I wanted to attend to Rio and also I really wanted to get a medal. So actually I did it at the end and I couldn't believe it because I wasn't in the final group. I was in the second final group and after I finished and I didn't know where I was standing at. So I asked my caddy and I asked him, I was like, did I make it? And he's like, oh yeah, you're for sure, top three. And I was like, really, I made it and I looked at my dad and also my manager because they were there at the time and they were so excited. I think they were almost crying. I was like, oh, it looks like maybe I just made it. So it was like a dream come true, so different, yeah, but I mean, I think I'll remember it the whole time. So looking back now, do you have any regrets about missing out on gold medals at Olympics? Not really because I think if I look back, I would say my career was good enough. Because before, I would say before the Olympics, I was always a person that wouldn't give myself too much pressure. I always wanted to try like 95% because I would think that, you know, that was maybe more comfortable for myself. And then I was like, ah, I was already 27 and I was like, if I want to get to what number one, I think this is the time that I really need to give it a try. I was like, yes, I'm going for it. So I tried 100% and I did it when I was 27. And after then, I really wanted to play another time in the Olympic Games and try to get a gold medal if I could. Even though, you know, it wasn't the peak of my career already, I knew that. But I still gave my 100% and even though I didn't get any medals, but I tried my best, I tried, I gave it my 100%. So no regrets, no nothing. I look back, I think my career, I can give myself 100 points, I was already good enough. Ronin and C, you are going to represent China in Paris, what's your expectations for these two players and what advice would you give them? I would say that both of them are very competitive and right now they are both very highly ranked in the world ranking. So I would say that both of them will have chances to stand on the podium if they bring out their A games. Everything is very, very young, but even though she's young, she's very mature. And I think she's very good at like one to one battle, yeah, like face to face. And she's really strong at that. If you play against her, you'll actually feel like afraid. So I think if she can, you know, start the weekdays, maybe like smoothly and then all the weekend, I would say that she will have a chance for sure. So she who normally we call her Janet and we're actually from the same hometown. So I watch her growing up and I would say that she's a very consistent player. Even though she is maybe 27 this year or 28 this year, but I would say that she's still going up in her career. So I would say that this is a great timing for her. She's going to bring out her A game. I know about her and Olympics, it's always like one of her goals. And she attended the first two Olympics in Rio and Tokyo with me. So I'm pretty sure that she's experienced enough and she would be ready. So tell us about the sports development in China. What do you think the future holds? Oh, it's totally different compared to when I just started playing the game. Now, I mean, if you look at it, go to any journey tournaments in China, oh my God. Like the kids will have to compete to get a spot to get in the tournaments. So it's totally different. There are so many more of them that are starting to play golf and maybe getting more serious about it. Some of them will actually want to go to colleges and some of them would want to become professional golfers in the future. So I'm very happy to see the changes. And I really think that Chinese are very good at golf. So I would say that, you know, because there are more people playing now, I'm pretty sure in the future there will be more shan-shan, more running, more Chinese players getting on the RPGA/PGA tour, like maybe representing China, standing on the podium. I'm seeing that, you know, so I'm very happy to see the changes. There was shan-shan speaking with Olympic golf medalist Feng Shan-chan. Now Chinese 100 meter headler Wu Yan Ni, who is also an internet celebrity, will make her Olympic debut in Paris, who grabbed the silver medal in the women's 100 meter hurdles for China and world university games in Chengdu last year. In an interview with the CGTN's Drew Mandan, Wu shared her goals for the upcoming Olympics and her thoughts about women's participation in sports. You always meet the crowds with your unique style and personality. How do you deal with people's comments and how you're received? I hope to break the stereotype that most people have about track and film athletes. People tend to think that we are short-haired, don't do any makeup, and that we are just ordering athletes. I think now in the 21st century, athletes should be able to show their individuality, show the world a different kind of beauty in the sport of track and field. So maybe I always look a bit overdressed on the track. You finished in 12.76 seconds in the Chengdu University last year, which qualified you for the Paris Olympics. How did you feel at the time? I really didn't expect to do that. I entered a race thinking that maybe I could qualify for the Olympics this time, but I really didn't expect to actually do it. So when I did it, I was really, really excited. But afterwards, when I think about it more, I don't feel the same excitement, because I will need this half the ability to do it. Do you think competing in the Paris Olympics for you is a dream come true? No, it's not. It's an experience for me to grow stronger and to learn. It's also encouraged for me as it is my first Olympics. My childhood dream when I first started training was to compete at the Olympics, so I will compete at these games knowing that I'm here to learn. We all know that China and maybe Asia is not very good at hurdles, so I hope that I have the ability to advance to the final. It's not a woman, but a woman who doesn't have to do it, doesn't have to do it. It's the fact that Paris is hosting the Olympics means something more to you. France's We All Know It is a romantic country, so I want to live special memories in this romantic city, both on the streets of Paris and on the track in the stadium. How's your training going so far? I feel I'm more mature mentally in a lot of aspects. I used to be very impatient facing pressure, but this sport has taught me a lot. Like I used to say if you want someone to grow as a person, train in athletics, so this sport has made me who I am in a lot of ways. Like what my coach likes to say, track and field is a sport for grown-ups. After a while, you will find some true life in this sport, which tells us what exactly did you learn in this sport. Like defeats and injuries are what happens to athlete, there's no way to avoid it. What is really difficult is to leave through that and grew from that. Paris Olympics is only a matter of days away, what's your training plan and what's still you need to be improved. Everybody knows what I need to improve on, my start at the race, I'm a physical strength and a lot of details needs to be polished. Now I still have an injury and I have to make sure it doesn't get worse leading up to the Olympics. That was Juma and Dan speaking with the Chinese 100 meter Hitler, Wu Yan Li. And that we end this special edition of Sightline Story. For more information you can check our website, radio.cgtn.com. Until next time, see you! [Music] [BLANK_AUDIO]