8 o'clock in the evening is the start time of the daily training of the short track speed skating team in Fengtai District where Ma Zihui is located.

Workday training takes place in an ice hockey club in Fengtai.

It is outside Beijing’s Southwest Fifth Ring Road, which is about an hour’s drive from the city center.

The Fengtai District Short Track Speed ​​Skating Team is training.

Photo by Wang Hao

　　The temperature of the ice rink is almost the same as outdoors. Even if you wear a down jacket, there is constant cold from the soles of your feet.

　　This sports team was established in 2017. There are about 50 children in the team, basically between the ages of 8 and 14.

Ma Zihui belongs to the youngest group, she is 8 years old this year.

On the training ground, she was standing next to her teammates, not tall, with short hair under the helmet, which looked a bit cool.

　　Just a few days ago, this little girl became a hot spot on the Internet.

In the 2020-21 Beijing Youth Short Track Speed ​​Skating League, the first leg of the U8 group 500m quarter-finals, Ma Zihui participated as a contestant.

She started on the inner road and fell on the ice as soon as she started.

Ma Zihui fell on the ice when she started.

　　Ma Zihui didn't hesitate, got up and ran after him.

At this time, she was already a corner gap from the player in front.

This is a distance that is almost impossible to catch up in a 500-meter race.

　　But Ma Zihui did not give up, gritted his teeth and slid forward desperately, surpassing one opponent, two opponents, and three opponents to achieve a major reversal.

In the end, she won the championship smoothly in the final of this project.

　　The video of Ma Zihui's game was posted online by the coach, and was liked by millions of netizens. Some people were even moved to cry.

Ma Zihui is in the training ground.

Photo by Wang Hao

　　Different from the routine in the movie-when the protagonist encounters a difficult situation, he will flash through the montage-like picture to gain strength. Ma Zihui recalled the situation at the time and said: "I don't feel anything in my heart. The coach said that you must have the spirit of fighting. , To complete the transcendence and complete my own game."

　　At the age of 8, she didn't like to smile very much in front of the camera, and looked a little serious, but she answered the questions clearly.

　　In the recent season, the short track speed skating team has to train 6 days a week, about two hours a day, except Monday.

On Friday, Ma Zihui will go with the team to the stadium in Changping for training, and then go home on Sunday.

　　Ma Zihui's mother Kong Lulu said that generally older children live there.

The reporter reminded her that Ma Zihui was actually still young, and Kong Lulu laughed.

Ma Zihui (the first one) is in training.

　　Kong Lulu accompanied her daughter throughout the training on December 22.

Under normal circumstances, it is the father who plays this role. Their family lives in the South Second Ring Road. When they return home after training, it is often 11 o'clock.

Xiaozi Hui is sometimes too tired, "I was just taken home."

　　But even so, she was still able to get up on time the next day and go to school like other children.

　　At the beginning of 2019, Ma Zihui switched from learning roller skating to short track speed skating. It has been nearly two years now.

Of course, training cannot be smooth sailing, especially for children of this age, sometimes they have a lazy mentality, wondering if they can stop training today.

　　At this time, mom and dad will reason with her and tell her that this is the sport of her own choice and that she should stick to it.

In the end, Ma Zihui will go to normal training.

Ma Zihui (first from left) in training.

　　"When I'm tired, I can grit my teeth and stick to it. This is the path I chose. As long as it is something I like, I have to stick to it." Ma Zihui said.

　　8-year-old Ma Zihui hopes to become a Winter Olympic champion in the future, but Kong Lulu has no such clear goal.

For her, as long as the sport can bring happiness to her daughter, she will stick to it with her.

　　On the day of Ma Zihui's competition, Kong Lulu went to the scene to support her daughter as always. When she saw Ma Zihui fell, she felt a little thump in her heart.

　　"When I saw her get up and chase forward, I felt at ease. Regardless of the outcome of the game, she has the mind to chase forward."

Ma Zihui didn't give up after getting up, and started to catch up.

　　The parents who watched the game on the second floor of the stadium with Kong Lulu rarely communicated during the game, all staring at the little girl who fell and got up on the court.

　　After Ma Zihui was promoted smoothly, Kong Lulu went to the sidelines to pick up her daughter.

"At the time, she felt very normal. I asked her if you were afraid if she fell. She said she was not afraid, just catch up with them."

　　Not to mention 8-year-old children, many adults may not be able to face setbacks bravely. This may be the reason why Ma Zihui moved countless netizens.

In the eyes of this little girl practicing short track speed skating, this is what it should be.

　　Zhang Rui, Ma Zihui's coach, was the first person to post the video of the game online, and he did not expect such a heated discussion.

Millions of netizens praised Ma Zihui.

　　"As a coach, I should encourage, because I get up immediately after a fall. This quality of will is still good." Zhang Rui said that he encouraged Ma Zihui after the game, but didn't say much.

Because it has been said many times in training, after a fall, you have to get up and finish the game. This is sportsmanship.

　　From the coach's point of view, this is actually what athletes should do. Many other players have experienced similar situations.

　　For these children who practice short track speed skating, falling during training is commonplace.

"Crying, why don't you cry? They all cry. Especially the younger ones, like their 8-year-old group."

　　But after crying, they often have to wipe off the tears and continue to slide on the ice.

Ma Zihui said: "I don't feel so hard skating."

The short track speed skating team in Fengtai District is training.

　　In the cold winter, Beijing at 10 pm is slowly calming down from the hustle and bustle of the day. This is usually the time for Ma Zihui to finish training.

And in this hugely populated city, many people have ended their busy day.

In the vast crowd of people, countless ordinary you, me, and him, it's possible that they will encounter all kinds of difficulties and distresses at some time and place.

　　Tired Ma Zihui still went to school on time the next day. Although it was not as exciting as turning defeat into victory on the field, such day-to-day persistence also contained the simplest bravery.

　　8-year-old Ma Zihui can do it, so what about you?

　　Author: Wang Hao