[Explanation] On March 8, Beijing time, Zhang Weili, China ’s first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) champion, lifted the five-star red flag on his shoulders on the fighting field in Las Vegas, USA. On the same day, Zhang Weili defeated Polish player Joanna in the UFC 248 Women's Welterweight Defending Battle and successfully retained the golden belt.
[Concurrent] Zhang Weili, China's first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) champion
Because our project is not an Olympic event, I have been particularly envious since I was a kid that I can play the national anthem and raise the national flag after winning the championship. I always expected that I could do that. There are no national boundaries for sports, but there are countries for athletes. After we came out, no one said who you are or who you are. The first reaction is definitely that you are Chinese. So when we came out, I wanted to wear the Chinese flag no matter where I was.
[Explanation] After winning the game, Zhang Weili said in a speech, "It's very difficult to come here this time. I hope my country can quickly get through the epidemic." In an interview recently, Zhang Weili still remembers the words of victory at that time. She said that from the start to the final match, she always had an idea to cheer up the "anti-epidemic" Chinese with a victory.
[Concurrent] Zhang Weili, China's first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) champion
I have always believed that I want to (win) like this, and I will cheer everyone on this victory. I just want to cheer everyone up and let them know that we are strong and we must overcome all difficulties.
[Explanation] In the end, Zhang Weili wished to win, but the process of participation was full of twists and turns. Zhang Weili said that before the competition, there was an outbreak of new crown pneumonia, and she needed to make several connections to reach the United States to participate. The "water poisoning" incident encountered before the game even made her interrupt training for a time.
[Concurrent] Zhang Weili, China's first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) champion
My stomach hurts as soon as I ran, and water accumulated in my stomach, and I couldn't run. (Water) I ca n’t run if I drink too much, I feel very distressed, I feel dizzy and vomiting, and then I say I ca n’t stand it and I want to go back. I went back to the hotel and fell asleep. When I got up at twelve, I got up and started vomiting. It was uncomfortable and I couldn't get out of bed.
[Explanation] Many twists and turns before the game made Zhang Weili feel depressed for a time. A call from her mother restored her confidence and fighting spirit.
[Concurrent] Zhang Weili, China's first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) champion
She was in a bad mood, and then she (mum) said, "You think about fighting medical staff on the front line, you think of police working on the front line, they have no time to sleep. You just change places Everyone is working hard, and you should work hard. "
[Explanation] During the interview, Zhang Weili, who has studied traditional martial arts since she was a child, mentioned the word "martial" many times. She said that she won a lot of attention this time, but she hopes that the outside world won't have to pay too much attention to herself, but will focus more on Chinese martial arts culture.
[Concurrent] Zhang Weili, China's first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) champion
We are all martial arts practitioners. I grew up under the influence of this traditional martial arts culture and traditional culture. My parents told me since childhood that "you have to be humble and you have to help others." I grew up in such an environment. So I (and the opponent) is using the platform as the boundary. After entering the platform, we are the opponents, but after the platform, we are friends. I think it is to marry friends and respect each other.
[Explanation] At the end of the interview, when talking about when to return home from the United States, Zhang Weili, a girl who has always shown her strength, choked on the phone and said, "I have been here for so long, and I am homesick."
Reporter Xu Pengpeng Xing Rui reports from Beijing
Editor-in-chief: [Luo Pan]