On the first day of the Beijing Winter Olympics, Ling Zhi and Fan Suyuan, who played together in the mixed doubles curling competition, attracted the attention of the world.
Curling, a sport that used to be relatively unpopular in China, has become hot this winter.
After the Winter Olympics, athletes are still active in the public eye with different images.
Ling Zhi, who had been insomnia for three years during the four-year preparation for the Winter Olympics, finally relieved most of the pressure.
He reunited with his family and participated in cross-border activities. A more vivid "Ling Zhi" became more and more well-known to the public.
A few days ago, China-Singapore Sports had an exclusive conversation with Ling Zhi. He shared with us his mental journey after the Winter Olympics and the different curling sports in his heart.
On the evening of February 3, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics curling mixed double round-robin competition continued at the National Swimming Center. The Chinese team was reversed by the Swedish team at the last moment of the game and lost 6:7.
The picture shows Chinese players Ling Zhi (left) and Fan Suyuan applauding after throwing the pot.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Jun
The experience of the Beijing Winter Olympics made Ling Zhi more calm.
In his opinion, the current hot curling project is not a "false fire".
Fight until you can't beat it, this is the goal he set for himself.
Winter Olympics
China-Singapore Sports: The Beijing Winter Olympics will bring you into the public eye. What imprints has it left on you? Now that the Winter Olympics have ended for several months, has there been any change in mentality during this period?
Ling Zhi: I have the experience of the Winter Olympics, the memories of the games, I have met many new friends, and I have gained a large number of spectators who like to watch the games.
For me, the most important thing is the experience of participating in the competition, and there will be a qualitative leap in the next competition.
In fact, his attitude has not changed.
I was a little confused when I just finished the game, but I was quite happy.
Athletes should focus on playing games, and think about training and competition.
Taking this opportunity to let more people see me, it is very convenient to promote curling.
Ling Zhi competes at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Jun
China-Singapore Sports: The Beijing Winter Olympics brought the curling event on fire. How long do you think this "fire" will last? Is it a "false fire"?
Ling Zhi:
I don't think it's "false fire".
Winter projects are as long as you like it, you will like it more and more.
Like curling, although it is relatively unpopular, because the threshold is a little high, you need to think carefully.
But once you figure it out, it gets more and more fun.
Before the Winter Olympics, I didn't expect curling to be so popular, I just thought that everyone might know about this project.
When people saw us on the street holding ice brushes before, they thought they were cleaning glass.
Not anymore. Now everyone not only likes it, but also understands this movement and even participates in it.
For example, on the opening day of the Ice Cube venue, it took two hours to queue up, and everyone's enthusiasm was very high.
Fan Suyuan (left) and Ling Zhi compete in the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
Change
Zhongxin Sports: When you were preparing for the Winter Olympics, you often suffered from insomnia. Has this pressure been completely relieved now?
Ling Zhi: Maybe half of it was removed, but that half was because the results were not as good as expected.
There was competition in the team before the game, and we didn't decide the places until the last minute.
There is also a sense of responsibility. We have to show the spiritual outlook of this generation of Chinese young people in front of the world. There is a lot of pressure in this regard.
Zhongxin Sports: More and more people know and pay attention to you, and some other voices will appear. Will this bring you another level of pressure?
Ling Zhi: There is a sense of urgency, because more people pay attention, it will force me to train harder than before, to play better in terms of performance, and to have a greater sense of responsibility for promotion.
Yes, there will be some added stress, and that stress will turn into motivation.
China-Singapore Sports: You finally went home in May. How did your parents react this time?
Ling Zhi: I haven't been home for the Chinese New Year for 6 or 7 years, and I haven't been home for about 4 years.
My parents were fine when they saw me, because we are not particularly good at expressing ourselves, and we knew what the other person was thinking at a glance.
However, the cats and dogs in the house didn't know me anymore, and they avoided me at first.
Ling Zhi competes at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
China-Singapore Sports: In the eyes of your parents, what is the biggest change in you?
Ling Zhi: They think that when I grow up, suddenly I am not the same.
There are many things that I could not participate in before, and now I have the right to speak.
It's like visiting a relative's house to bring something. I used to tell who to look at and say hello, but now I don't need to ask.
(laugh)
Role
China-Singapore Sports: After the Winter Olympics, you have participated in many cross-border activities. Do you have any fun experiences?
Ling Zhi: This is different from what we were in the sports team before, so it is fresher every day.
In fact, it's all fun, and it's all a challenge.
China-Singapore Sports: There is a topic on Weibo called "Ling Zhi has caught fashion", what do you think?
Ling Zhi: (laughs) I can't say whether I'm taking it or not. Anyway, even if I wear it, I still have to thank the fans for saving face.
China-Singapore Sports: Have you ever thought about engaging in more cross-border activities like this in the future to give yourself more identity?
Ling Zhi:
I can't have more identities, because the general direction is still training and competition.
Only do some of these activities in spare time without affecting training and competition.
Zhongxin Sports: In addition to Ling Zhi in the eyes of the public, is there any less "Ling Zhi" side that everyone can't see?
Ling Zhi:
I may speak less in private and have several personalities.
It’s one kind of game, one kind of going back to the house after the game, and another kind of face-to-face media.
I am a person who likes music by nature, and curling requires composure.
We have to face failure every day, because we are comparing ourselves with ourselves, and there will be an expected position in our heart, which is a position that is unlikely to be reached.
So by polishing yourself every day, your character will gradually become calm.
Beijing Winter Olympics curling event mixed doubles round robin.
The Chinese team Ling Zhi and Fan Suyuan ushered in the challenge of Australian players. In the end, the two defeated their opponents 6:5 and celebrated their two-game winning streak.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Jun
China-Singapore Sports: Whether in life or training, are there many moments where you need to digest some emotions quietly?
Lingzhi: Yes, so I will lose sleep.
Too many things happen during the day, and at night I have to think and review, and I can't sleep.
I'm the kind of person who thinks about the good and the bad before doing something, and then weighs whether it can be done.
China-Singapore Sports: Is there an adult collapse in an instant?
Ling Zhi: Yes, such as the trials during the preparations.
For a while I kept winning and the upside wasn't that much.
The opponent will study and work hard to improve. When his shortcomings are made up, that is when I keep losing.
I lost suddenly after ecstasy, and then lost again. Every day, I lingered in the mentality of losing the game.
My partner at the time and I worked on it every day, and we still had to face failure.
sports
Zhongxin Sports: How is your physical condition now? What's next?
Ling Zhi: The physical condition is not bad. Whether it is mentality or physical fitness, I am making adjustments back.
This year is still preparing for the competition. According to the competition, the training cycle is selected, and a training plan is made according to the training cycle. Every step is according to the plan.
The exact date of the game has not yet been determined.
Ling Zhi (left) and Fan Suyuan (right) communicate during the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
China-Singapore Sports: Will you and Fan Suyuan team up in mixed doubles? Did the two communicate?
Ling Zhi: I can't decide yet.
Because the two of us are from two regional teams, we need both to return to the national team, and then we both have to want to continue playing mixed doubles and win during the selection, so that we can continue to play.
So my next step is to improve my technical and tactical level and strive for a place in the competition.
We have not communicated about this yet, and we need to do detailed communication after returning to the team.
Zhongxin Sports: Is the current Lexus the same as the Lingzhi you expected to be when you chose to join curling?
Ling Zhi: It’s not the same. I didn’t think much about it when I first practiced. It’s an industry chosen by my family. I’ll practice for two years to experience it.
Now that you have practiced here, it will affect a group of people, and you will have a sense of responsibility.
And when I reach this level, I can't go down, I can only go up.
China-Singapore Sports: What does curling mean to you? After so many years of practice, can you still feel new fun from it?
Ling Zhi:
It used to mean career and occupation, but now it is a part of life.
We achieve each other, maybe curling achieves me more.
Although the curling field is so big, with only a few pots, it may not encounter the same situation in ten years.
With age and mentality, and with different teammates, the fun will never be the same.
I can play as long as I want.
It's also fun to watch games when you can't move.
Sometimes, watching curling is more exciting than playing it.
(Author Wang Hao)