With Xu Mengtao's perfect jump in the freestyle skiing aerial skills competition at the Beijing Winter Olympics, the "four dynasties veteran" of the Winter Olympics finally fulfilled his dream of being a champion.
The loss, serious injury, and growing age of passing the Olympic gold medal several times have not stopped this cheerful girl from moving forward.
In the end, Xu Mengtao reached a career grand slam.
After the Winter Olympics dream came true, she and her boyfriend announced their relationship and received countless blessings.
All the way to this day, Xu Mengtao is down-to-earth and never believes in evil.
Recently, Xu Mengtao talked to China New Sports, sharing her pain, confusion and joy growing up.
champion
China-Singapore Sports: What were you thinking when your teammates made a mistake in a mixed team match? How to do the next deployment after the game?
Xu Mengtao:
At that time, my heart must have been cold, but I immediately converted.
I drag Jia Zongyang over to adjust his mood, and there is Qi Guangpu below. We need to pass on positive emotions.
After finishing second, I patted Jia Zongyang on the shoulder and said, "It's okay, we still have individual competitions, and we will fight again."
Zhongxin Sports: You finally took the pressure and won the personal championship. How did you develop such a big heart?
Xu Mengtao: Everyone's expectations for me started from the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
In fact, there was a lot of pressure after Pyeongchang, so I chose to continue or retire, and I put a lot of pressure on myself.
And in the process of constant preparation for the battle, there is also a lot of pressure, both physically and technically.
For the past 4 years I feel like I've been challenged to break out of my comfort zone.
In the end, when it came time to face the biggest challenge, it was more calm.
When I was on the field, I had a feeling - you have practiced, you have to absolutely believe in your skills.
These four years of system preparation have played a big role.
On the evening of February 14, Xu Mengtao celebrated winning the championship at the ceremony of awarding souvenirs.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhai Yujia
China-Singapore Sports: After you won the championship, you interacted with the photographer. You asked, "Am I the number one", which moved many people. What was the situation at that time?
Xu Mengtao: Actually, the night after the mixed group awards ended, I cried, and my head slammed, and all the preparation scenes came out.
For example, I just came back to practice in 2018, and when I landed, the whole big toe cover was directly lifted, and I went to the emergency center to pull it out.
I thought at the time, I didn't have a championship life.
(After winning the championship) I asked if I was the first. It was a question, and the answer was given immediately afterward. We won.
The first thing I do when I go back is to look at my business card on the Snow Federation website. All the columns are full of good results, except for the lack of Olympic gold medals, which has always been 0.
When I went back to refresh, it became 1. I felt it was worth it at that moment.
Elders of the Four Dynasties
China-Singapore Sports: The Beijing Winter Olympics is a battle at home. As a veteran of the four dynasties, has there been any change in mentality compared with the previous three sessions?
Xu Mengtao: There will be some pressure at the last moment.
After the team didn't get the gold medal, there may be more than before.
But throughout the preparation process, I was in a good mood and relaxed, with more motivation than pressure.
In the mixed team final of freestyle skiing aerial skills at the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 10, the Chinese team consisting of Xu Mengtao, Qi Guangpu and Jia Zongyang won the silver medal.
The picture shows the Chinese team after the game.
Image source: Visual China
Zhongxin Sports: The moment you win the championship is not only a milestone for you, but also a breakthrough for this project. What do you think of this?
Xu Mengtao: I am very grateful. From the Nagano Winter Olympics to the Beijing Winter Olympics, there have been 7 Winter Olympics in 24 years, and we won 5 silver medals in the first 6 games.
Although they are all silver medals, it does not mean that we are standing still.
We have been running forward, and I would like to thank our predecessors for what they have done for us.
I also thank myself, I am actually one of the seniors myself.
I practiced for 20 years and participated in 4 Winter Olympics.
After piercing the window paper, I will continue to practice. I now know some secrets. I may work hard for the Italian Winter Olympics, and I may have the opportunity to create a legend.
Zhongxin Sports: If you were to say a word to yourself who made her debut at the Vancouver Winter Olympics 12 years ago, what would you say?
Xu Mengtao: I will have two thoughts. The first is: when you were 19 years old and you were on the field, you were the first in the semi-finals. You were already very good. At that time, you
were only 19 years old and you were so difficult. You are Xu Mengtao who deserves my admiration.
Don't regret it now, believe in your choice, it's worth it.
You'll know in 12 years that in 2010, it might have been nice to do a simple dance.
But I definitely can't tell myself that it might be better if the difficulty was reduced at that time.
On February 15, the champion Chinese team player Xu Mengtao at the medal presentation ceremony.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
China-Singapore Sports: Fighting for the gold medal is also the direction you have been working towards for the past 12 years, right?
Xu Mengtao: Fighting for a gold medal is not an official copy for yourself. You have to look like you are fighting for it, instead of saying at the end, "I am fighting for a gold medal."
Because of the strong wind in Chongli, I wanted to adapt to the strong wind in advance when I was in the World Cup in Finland.
When I saw that wind at the time, I was numb, and the human heart is full of flesh, and it is impossible not to be timid or afraid.
The coach said I should dance for two weeks, but I said I would dance for three weeks.
I took a runner-up that day and I was very happy too.
Mars
Zhongxin Sports: Are you a person who does not believe in evil?
Xu Mengtao: That's how I am, I did everything I had to do, and I was stubborn when I stood there.
We don’t believe in evil, we are down-to-earth, I, Xu Mengtao, have come to today one step at a time.
I have practiced very systematically this cycle, and I am proud of myself.
When running, the other runners were younger than me, all in their teens, and I looked like their aunt.
On February 14, the women's aerial skills final of freestyle skiing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was held at the Yunding Ski Park in Zhangjiakou. Chinese athlete Xu Mengtao won the championship.
The picture shows Xu Mengtao celebrating after the game.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
China-Singapore Sports: When was the victory speech written on the white paper bag?
Xu Mengtao: The victory speech was written by my mother.
I encouraged her to say, buy whatever you want after winning the championship, and then write an acceptance speech first.
In fact, my mother's writing is very good.
After she finished writing, my whole adrenaline was high.
When I read it to me, I was very moved, but in the end I didn't use her version.
Zhongxin Sports: When you were young, your father made an ice rink for you. What has your father been like in your career?
Xu Mengtao: My dad is a master leading the door to me.
Because when I was a child, I grew up watching Deng Yaping's sister play with my dad.
My dad loves sports, and TV doesn't show any other programs. I haven't watched any cartoons.
My dad's sports feelings are all pinned on me.
He didn't ask me if I liked it or not, but when I practiced, I felt like I really liked it.
When I don't know what the Olympics are, I just want to win the Olympic championship.
When I was very young, I wrote to my parents that I would definitely train hard to win glory for the motherland.
At that time, watching my brothers and sisters stand on the podium, I felt that the moment of raising the national flag was very sacred. I also wanted to raise the national flag and play the national anthem.
When my parents saw that I was hurt, they felt bad for me again.
My dad always said that it is not easy for a daughter, so when I won the championship, I was afraid that my dad would not be able to take it. He was too excited.
On February 14th, Xu Mengtao was moved to tears at the souvenir ceremony.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
China-Singapore Sports: It was the first time I talked to my parents about winning the gold medal after winning the championship. What did they say?
Xu Mengtao: They said, daughter, you are amazing, you are the best, you are the god of war.
Daughter, you did it.
Taodundun
Zhongxin Sports: After the Beijing Winter Olympics, you and Wang Xindi announced their relationship. He called you "Peach Dundun" on Weibo. Can you tell us about him?
Xu Mengtao: Although Xindi is younger than me, I feel that he is very mature.
The two of us were in a group. When the plank reached the end, the weight was really unbearable, and he straightened his teeth.
In fact, his strength is not aerobic exercise, but he trains himself to be on the same starting line as the person with the best aerobic exercise. His will and quality are very good.
Xindi's writing is okay. He was in the champion class of BSU, and he had online classes when he was studying for a master's degree.
He remembered it very quickly. After listening to the teacher's lecture, he immediately used it on his special subject.
Zhongxin Sports: When did you two start to be together?
Xu Mengtao: We were together on February 14, 2019.
I quite like small romantic ones. They have a sense of ritual. Every year, no matter what, I have to bunch flowers.
We are also in love for a long time.
When Xindi arrived at our competitive sports school, she saw me on crutches.
It was 2008, I broke the ACL in my right leg, and he thought, this project is horrible.
(laugh)
We usually eat together, and we have to send plates after eating.
Three meals a day, Wang Xindi insisted on giving away for several years. When I was not in love with him, I felt that this person was very persistent.
Weibo screenshot.
China-Singapore Sports: When you won the championship, you said that February 14th is a lucky day, and you must get married on that day, so is the date set?
Xu Mengtao: Maybe even earlier.
Because we are racing in winter, the season doesn't end until mid-March.
China-Singapore Sports: Some athletes do not want their children to participate in sports again, because it is more difficult and may suffer injuries. What do you think?
Xu Mengtao: I think when a child is young, he should be exposed to a little more, and then choose carefully when he grows up.
Although it is very hard for me to practice sports by myself, I still think it would be better for children to practice sports, because sports are really very attractive.
The injury must have been caused by the unreasonable training process. People may step on their feet when walking, and bite their tongues when eating.
Don't think about what doesn't happen.
Now that we have decided to go this route, we have nothing to fear.
(Author Wang Hao Guo Chaokai Liu Xuanting)