The rain hit the face, soaking the strands of hair scattered under the brim of the hat.
In the stagnant area, water splashes every time you step on the ground.
At the Xi'an Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Zhang Deshun took the lead to cross the finish line.
At 2 hours, 32 minutes and 31 seconds, Zhang Deshun won the National Games Women's Marathon with a single finger.
Image source: Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
The figure is not tall, and his eyes are particularly strong. This is the first impression left by the marathon runner Zhang Deshun to the Zhongxin Sports reporter.
In Tokyo, Zhang Deshun successfully finished the race against the heat.
She moved to the National Games, where she won 2 gold and 1 silver.
"It is difficult for other athletes across the country to surpass her in the future." Teacher Zhang Deshun mentioned in an interview.
After years of hard work, Zhang Deshun has transformed into the "queen of long-distance running" in the domestic track and field arena.
The memory tunnel opened, and the Yunnan girl who was born and raised in Yunnan told her stories about herself and the long-distance running.
The first memory of track and field
Sino-Singapore Sports: "Come on Shunzi" is a sports movie based on you. Can you tell the original intention of accepting it at that time?
Zhang Deshun: The director team wants to make an inspirational sports film. Everyone thinks that my personal growth experience fits well. I also want to use the form of a film to record my story.
Image source: Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
Sino-Singapore Sports: You worked hard from a mountain village in Yunnan, and the training conditions were very difficult. What made people discover your talent in running?
Zhang Deshun: I liked running when I was young.
Getting connected with long-distance running is by chance.
When we were in physical education in junior high school, the teacher asked us to run around the outer circle of the school, which was about 800 meters long.
Boys depart 2 minutes earlier than girls.
After one lap, I was the first one to come back.
Physical Education Teacher After the physical education teacher discovered that I was talented in long-distance running, he introduced me to Yunlong No. 2 Middle School for amateur training.
Image source: Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
Zhongxin Sports: More people of the same age can change their situation through learning. And you chose long-distance running, did you endure a lot of pressure?
Zhang Deshun: Even today, in the minds of many parents in our hometown, the only way to change their destiny can be through learning.
I choose long-distance running, on the one hand because my academic performance is not ideal, and more importantly, I have outstanding results in long-distance running.
At that time, there must be pressure, because there is no previous experience, and I don't know how to go in the future.
Zhang Deshun in the National Games.
Image source: Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
Zhongxin Sports: In the movie, your father didn't support his running from the beginning to go to the scene to cheer. Does the father have such a change in reality?
Zhang Deshun: At first, my father felt that girls were too hard to practice sports, so he opposed my running.
But I like running very much, and I also showed my talent. My family finally chose to support me.
Because of training and competition, I go home seven or eight days a year.
But every game, as long as there is a live broadcast, my father will watch it.
He will record the characteristics of the opponent through the game, and share his "homework" with me before the game.
Image source: Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
Zhongxin Sports: According to the movie, after entering the provincial team, you trained with the men's team. Can you tell us about the state at that time? What impact does this experience have on future development?
Zhang Deshun: After entering the provincial team, the coach of the Yunnan Women's Marathon team did not select me.
But fortunately, I met my mentor, Coach Zhang Guowei. In fact, we are also training with the men's team.
Although you have to pay more, this method suits you well.
In terms of training or game mentality, this experience has changed me a lot.
Zhang Deshun and his teacher Zhang Guowei took a group photo.
Image source: Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
Transform into the queen of long-distance running
China-Singapore Sports: In the first Youth Games, you won the women's 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter championships. Did this experience impress you?
Zhang Deshun: The Youth Games was the first major national competition I participated in, and I was very nervous at the time.
But that competition also gave me confidence. Both the 5000m and 10000m results were particularly good.
It can be said that it is a big turning point.
Data map: On August 25, 2018, the women's 10,000m final of the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games track and field event was held. Chinese player Zhang Deshun won the third place with a time of 32:12.78 and broke his personal best.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Peiyun
Sino-Singapore Sports: In 2020, you broke the Macau Women's Marathon record. Was your condition adjusted to the best at that time? How did the postponement of the Olympics affect you?
Zhang Deshun: The track in Macau is actually very difficult. I didn't expect to run such a good result before the race.
I haven't been in contact with the marathon for a long time, and the
postponement of the Olympic Games bought me more time to prepare.
Zhang Deshun in the Tokyo Olympic Marathon.
Image source: Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
Sino-Singapore Sports: At the Tokyo Olympics, the marathon encountered high temperatures. Have you never had this kind of game experience before? How did you overcome difficulties in the game?
Zhang Deshun: I was severely dehydrated in the second half of the journey, and I didn't feel anything after drinking ice water.
But for me, the Olympic Games is a competition that I particularly want to participate in, so standing at that starting point, I have to run to the finish line by myself.
Although the results are not outstanding, but let me learn how to deal with the weather after the game...
Zhang Deshun exercised during isolation.
Image source: Screenshot of Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
Sino-Singapore Sports: At this year's National Games, you won 2 gold and 1 silver. At what level was the body at that time? Other players in the National Games have more time to prepare for the game. How do you allocate physical fitness?
Zhang Deshun: During the 21 days of isolation after returning to China, the main focus was on physical recovery and physical training.
After returning to Kunming, after a little more than two weeks of practice, he set off for the National Games.
It was raining heavily during the marathon, and we chased the first group for about 17 to 8 kilometers.
Thinking about it now, I still admire myself.
Many players did not participate in the Olympics, they have enough time to prepare for the competition.
For several of our athletes who participated in the Olympics,
this is both pressure and motivation. They paid more and also accumulated experience in the competition.
Data map: On August 25, 2018, the Jakarta Asian Games women's track and field finals of 10,000 meters ended.
Chinese player Zhang Deshun won the third place with a time of 32:12.78 and broke his personal best.
The picture shows Zhang Deshun in the game.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Yang Huafeng
China-Singapore Sports: In recent years, the Chinese team has not made brilliant breakthroughs in long-distance running. How do you think it can quickly shorten the gap with the strong players? Will the team also learn from more advanced training concepts?
Zhang Deshun: In fact, China's long-distance running program is indeed far behind the African powers.
We are also trying to catch up with them,
but this gap cannot be filled in a short time.
In terms of training, athletes have different physical conditions, and the national team is actively exploring a training model that is more suitable for us.
Data map: On August 25, 2018, the Jakarta Asian Games women's track and field finals of 10,000 meters ended.
Chinese player Zhang Deshun won the third place with a time of 32:12.78 and broke his personal best.
The picture shows Zhang Deshun on the podium.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Yang Huafeng
Sports changed my destiny
Sino-Singapore Sports: Through the long-distance running event, you step by step from the mountain village to the international arena. From the initial love to becoming a professional athlete, what role did long-distance running play in your life?
Zhang Deshun:
Long-distance running is my life in my life.
I have paid a lot in the long-distance running career, and it has also given me a lot.
After retiring, I will still engage in sports-related work, and
will not let long-distance running too far away from me.
On September 26, the women's marathon final of the track and field events of the 14th National Games was held in Xi'an.
Zhang Deshun of the Yunnan team won the championship in 2 hours, 32 minutes and 31 seconds.
China News Agency reporter Zhang Yuanshe
China-Singapore Sports: Long-distance running practice is very hard. What strength is supporting you along the way?
Zhang Deshun: It's really not easy. We have a lot of injuries and we need to overcome them.
What motivates me the most is my family.
Because the family conditions were not very good since I was young, I want to bring more changes to the family through my own efforts.
Through competitions or achievements, you can get some rewards and bonuses. I
want my parents to live a happier life.
Image source: Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
Sino-Singapore Sports: From the initial obscurity to the breakthrough for your hometown, has long-distance running changed the destiny of you and your family?
Zhang Deshun: After being exposed to long-distance running, I understand a lot.
As I grow older, I become more mature.
Looking back now, sports has not only brought changes to me and my family,
it is more like my partner. The longer I have been in contact with long-distance running, the more I rely on it.
Data map: On August 25, 2018, the Jakarta Asian Games women's track and field finals of 10,000 meters ended.
Chinese player Zhang Deshun won the third place with a time of 32:12.78 and broke his personal best.
The picture shows Zhang Deshun (first from right) posing with the champions and runners-up on the podium.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Yang Huafeng
Sino-Singapore Sports: From a poor family environment to realizing their dreams through sports, this provides a new way for children from more ordinary families. What do you think of the power of this role model?
Zhang Deshun: I think many families can change themselves through sports, but everyone is still not willing to see their children suffer.
I want to let more people see the power in sports through my own efforts, and show everyone the spirit of never giving up toward the goal.
Image source: Zhang Deshun's personal Weibo.
Sino-Singapore Sports: What are your expectations for the Paris Olympics? In preparing for the war, what aspects do you need to improve?
Zhang Deshun: In Paris three years later, my performance in the marathon should be more mature.
When preparing for war, we will also focus on this project.
Strive for a better ranking and results in Paris.
(Author Liu Xingchen)