Chen Yuxi during the final of the women's 10m platform event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ANTONIO MARTINEZ/EUROPA PRESS via GETTY IMAGE
At 19, Chen Yuxi's achievements in diving are already the stuff of legend: two Olympic gold medals and two silvers. Yet, for the freshman at Tongji University studying sports training, her story is just beginning.
Three months after claiming diving gold in the women's synchronized 10-meter platform at the Paris Olympics, Chen is embracing a new chapter. Few would recognize the global diving icon as she carries her backpack across campus, hidden among her peers as she navigates the life of a student.
She looks forward to her university experience with a sense of anticipation, excited to immerse herself in classes, expand her knowledge, and meet new and interesting people.
"Diving has always been a focus on practical skills for me, so I haven't had much exposure to theory," she said. "I'm eager to explore the theoretical side of sports to complement and enhance my practical expertise."
Chen Yuxi during the final of the women's 10m platform event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ANTONIO MARTINEZ/EUROPA PRESS via GETTY IMAGE
For Chen, the next phase is about more than academics; it's about redefining her path. "Whether in diving, or elsewhere, I want to become a better version of myself," she says. "I hope to forge new paths in different fields, carving out a space that belongs uniquely to me."
Born in 2005 in Shanghai, Chen started her sporting life as a gymnast, with her earliest memories drawn from fragments of stories shared by her parents.
At the age of three, while attending kindergarten, she would often spend her afternoons either training with her father and the local gymnastics team, or waiting for her mother to pick her up after school. Restless and energetic, she almost always opted for the former. Even at that young age, she was already able to perform a handstand.
In 2011, at six years old, Chen entered her first gymnastics competition, but by then, her focus had already shifted toward diving.
Chen interacts with school children. LI MINGKUN/FOR CHINA DAILY
"My mom said I might not have another chance to compete in gymnastics, so she encouraged me to take part," Chen recalls. She spent a week briefly revisiting gymnastics, practicing a routine on the high and low bars. During the competition, it was her father, nervously watching from below, who seemed more anxious than Chen herself.
While gymnastics had been taught to her by her father, the young girl faced a new challenge when she transitioned to diving — adapting to a new coach. Initially, she was resistant. Terrified of water, she struggled with swimming lessons, and despite the efforts of over a dozen coaches, she couldn't seem to overcome her fear.
Chen remembers the fear that gripped her when she first began learning the 10m platform dive in 2017. "In the beginning, I wasn't clear on my flips or how many twists I had done — it all felt chaotic. If I got too scared and became stiff, I couldn't execute the moves properly, which often led to mistakes and injuries," she recalls.
The pair take a selfie with Kim Mi-rae of DPR Korea in Paris. XINHUA
But, as time passed, she began to embrace the sport.
"The feeling of diving off the platform became something I truly enjoyed," she says. "Diving has become an inseparable part of me, filled with a range of emotions."
In 2018, Chen won her first national title in a senior competition, taking gold in the women's individual 10m platform at the National Diving Championships. The victory boosted her confidence, and, the following year, she earned a spot on China's national diving team.
At the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, Chen made her Olympic debut in spectacular fashion. Alongside teammate Zhang Jiaqi, she claimed gold in the women's 10m synchronized platform and added a silver in the individual 10m event.
Reflecting on her earlier years in the sport, Chen admits that she struggled with self-doubt. "I used to get caught up in every small detail," she says. "If I didn't perform well in training, I would dwell on it for a long time, which affected my mindset, both in practice and competition."
She acknowledges that her performances were sometimes inconsistent, often overshadowed by fear.
Chen and her partner Quan Hongchan (right) pose with their Olympic gold medals in Paris. XINHUA
"Back then, I just told myself, 'I've reached this level, so I have to give it my all', I practiced tirelessly, every day, until the last possible moment," she says.
In July 2023, Chen secured her third consecutive gold medal in the women's individual 10m platform at the World Aquatics Championships.
Then, this summer, at the Paris Olympics, she and teammate Quan Hongchan successfully won the gold medal in the women's synchronized 10m platform, and in the individual event, Chen earned silver with a score of 420.70.
Over the past three years, Chen has faced a range of challenges, each one met with resolve and perseverance. Today, she feels more centered and composed, with a greater sense of balance in all areas of her life.
Off the diving platform, Chen is a strikingly different figure — lively, curious, and full of interests that extend far beyond the sport that has made her a champion.
After returning from the Paris Olympics, she took a much-needed break to unwind. Chen visited Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, to see the giant pandas, and even tried on traditional hanfu, embracing the chance to experience different aspects of Chinese culture.
Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan visit Macao in September. XINHUA
She enjoys the simple pleasures of shopping, playing the piano and building Lego sets, and, at the same time, she is also drawn to extreme sports, eager to try skydiving, bungee jumping and rock climbing.
Photography, however, is one of her true passions. "When I take photos of others, I want to capture their stories," she explains. "Through these images, I can imagine their lives in that moment, and also reflect on why I took the photo and what I was doing at the time."
For Chen, photography is not just about images, but about preserving moments. "If someone else takes photos of me, it feels like they're documenting my life. When I look back at these photos, I can recall many stories and details that remind me of the moments they captured," she says.
Chen's perspective on life is shaped by her experiences in diving, where she has spent over a decade honing her skills. "In diving, you have five attempts," she notes. "You push through each one, even if you make mistakes along the way. You can't afford to get discouraged, because you won't know the results until you hit the water."
But for Chen, the lessons learned in diving go far beyond the pool.
"Life is about finding joy in the everyday moments, discovering what makes you happy, and constantly learning and growing. Whether it's diving, academics or personal pursuits, I want to continue improving, stay strong and keep pushing forward." Tracking Success delivers the inside story for global sports fans, exploring what makes elite performers tick, and providing insight into their biggest and most intriguing moments on and off the field of play.
liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn
