Data map: Zhang Weili and Joanna in the game.
On March 8, Beijing time, Zhang Weili, China's first UFC world champion, defended his title in Las Vegas, USA. Originally, after a hand-to-hand battle, Zhang Weili would return to China to reunite with her friends and relatives, but affected by the new crown pneumonia epidemic, she was helpless to stay in the local area.
Many fighting fans still remember Zhang Weili's defending battle. In the octagonal cage, she and Joanna fought for five rounds. The corners of her eyes were torn, and her eyes were swollen into two seams. Joanna's forehead was hit with a huge swollen bag, almost beyond recognition. And even if the battle was fierce, Zhang Weili never shed a tear.
The emotional outburst happened after the game. During the interview with the host, she burst into tears to cheer up the motherland in the epidemic; and for more than half a month, Zhang Weili cried to reporters again. This time, it was because of loneliness, depression, and deep thoughts of the hometown in a foreign country.
"I never felt so hard to go home"
From March last year to now, Zhang Weili hasn't returned home for almost a year, and her life is almost filled with training and competition. In preparation for this defending battle with Joanna, Zhang Weili also spent the Spring Festival outside.
Watching the day of the game approaching day by day, Zhang Weili's heart was always stretched with a string. Before each training, she would give herself ten minutes of psychological counseling and keep cheering herself on: to cheer up and hold back. After successfully defending her title, the spread of the epidemic in the United States blocked her way home.
At present, Zhang Weili is conducting self-isolation in Las Vegas, and the daily training volume cannot be guaranteed. In order to maintain her status, she can only persist in practicing in the living room for two hours a day.
Zhang Weili is training in the United States. Photo courtesy.
In her spare time, Zhang Weili felt depressed when she saw news about the epidemic. "Now air tickets are very difficult to buy, and there are a lot of people returning home. There are confirmed cases every day. I am also very entangled now, I don't know what to do," Zhang Weili said helplessly.
"Homesickness" has become Zhang Weili's recent words. During the live broadcast, she told her netizens about the pain of homesickness, and in an interview, she couldn't stop crying because she wanted to go home. "I especially want to go back. I have never felt so difficult to go home. I miss home, but now there is no way. I am very worried about being on the plane (infected). It is really depressed and uncomfortable," Zhang Weili said in a crying voice.
Data Map: On March 8, Beijing time, Zhang Weili, China ’s first UFC champion, defended the UFC 248 Women ’s Welterweight World Championship in Las Vegas, USA, defeating Joanna with a point victory in five rounds, successfully defending the title .
"Sports knows no boundaries, but athletes have countries"
After defeating Joanna, Zhang Weili, wearing a national flag, roared loudly in an octagonal cage. Until that moment, the big rock in her heart fell to the ground, and the pressure accumulated for a long time was finally released.
The other side of sensibility is perseverance. Looking back on Zhang Weili's growth experience, in fact, her ability to resist stress is extremely strong. At the age of 12, he went to martial arts school to study Sanda, but retired early because of injuries. In his early 20s, he left home and drifted north. He has worked as a preschool teacher, salesman, and fitness coach for his livelihood ...
Before she became famous, Zhang Weili had tasted the sweetness and bitterness of life. Including before the defending battle, Joanna repeatedly challenged her on social media, and these off-court discords did not affect Zhang Weili's state at all. However, whenever she mentions the motherland that has suffered from the epidemic, Zhang Weili's soft side will be touched hard.
After the defending success, Zhang Weili wrote: "China refuels, the world refuels"
As a child, Zhang Weili was envious of those Olympic athletes who could raise the national flag and play the national anthem after receiving the gold medal. However, comprehensive fighting is not an Olympic event. Although she got a golden belt, Zhang Weili could not see the five-star red flag rising in a foreign country, which also became a little regret in her heart.
Zhang Weili told the China-Singapore Sports Reporter that sports have no national boundaries, but athletes have countries. "I want to be a good role model, no matter where I am."
"I am not alone"
In fact, before the start of the defending battle, Zhang Weili was not sure if she could stand on the field. After the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the United States suspended China's visa to the United States, and Zhang Weili had to travel to Thailand and the United Arab Emirates to arrive in Las Vegas.
When travelling from Thailand to Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Zhang Weili was a bit depressed and called her mother to complain that she was changing places again. The mother on the other side of the phone made her think about the anti-epidemic staff who were fighting on the front line: "You just change places, but everyone is working hard, and you should work hard."
Data map: Zhang Weili and Joanna in the game.
After hearing these words, Zhang Weili suddenly felt that she was not fighting alone. "Those medical staff are closest to the virus. They are not afraid. Why should I complain about changing places?"
Since then, Zhang Weili's mentality has become peaceful, and she has also strengthened her conviction. She must use a victory to encourage those who are fighting on the front line of the epidemic. "I think we need a victory at this time to inspire everyone. I want everyone to know that we are strong and we can definitely overcome difficulties."
"I never admit defeat"
From Beijing to the United States, Zhang Weili did not rest all day. After arriving at her destination, she continued to train nonstop.
A few days before the game, Zhang Weili started to lose weight. She drank 7 kg of water a day and then drained it through training. However, due to long-distance travel and the influence of jet lag, Zhang Weili started vomiting in the middle of the night. "It was water poisoning at the time, it was very dangerous, and the brain pressure and blood pressure were extremely high."
However, even after going through all the twists and turns, Zhang Weili still felt that she could win. "I know I will definitely win. I have worked so hard every day and I have no reason to lose."
Zhang Weili in training. For map
This self-confidence has always run through Zhang Weili's career, not so much as it comes from the desire for victory, but rather this is the confidence that Zhang Weili has accumulated through her efforts. Regardless of whether she played against Joanna or any previous battle in her career, as long as she stood on the field, Zhang Weili would be 100% in shape. "I never thought I would lose," she said. "As long as anything doesn't end, I have to be very serious and never let go."
Perhaps it was with this belief that fighting fans saw her and Joanna's five-round battle. They all say, "If you are in full bloom, the breeze comes from you," the story of Zhang Weili's growth is the best explanation for this "chicken soup".
As for her next goal, Zhang Weili's answer was simple. She said, "I just want to go back to my country quickly, and after I go back to quarantine, I want to train well." (Author Xing Rui)