Chapter 203: Fly (1/2)
Chapter 203: Fly
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
”Forfeit the fifth trial jump!” Dai Li said directly without raising his head.
Haiquan Fang clenched his teeth and held back the urge to return to the match.
If an unfamiliar coach had asked him to hold back, Haiquan Fang was so stubborn that he might have kicked the coach away. However, the one who was speaking to him was Dai Li, the first coach Haiquan Fang had had when he became a professional athlete. Out of the reverence and respect he had for Dai Li, Haiquan Fang had to hold back.
”Haiquan, I still remember that when I first met you, you told me you liked the long jump and the feeling of flying in the air,” Dai Li said as he raised his head, ”Now your goal has been achieved; you are a professional long jump athlete and you have been admitted to the national team. You practice the long jump every day. Is it boring?”
Haiquan Fang pondered a moment, then said, ”Sometimes it is a little bit boring. Every day I keep jumping, and it gets boring. But on the national team, everyone is like this.”
”Yes. On the national team, everyone is working hard; everyone is longing for victory and championships!” Dai Li paused, then asked, ”Haiquan, do you want be a champion?”
”Of course!” Haiquan Fang answered without any hesitation.
”Why?” Dai Li continued to ask.
Haiquan Fang was speechless. He could not answer the question, for he had never thought about why he needed a championship.
”You don't have an answer?” Dai Li changed the topic and asked, ”Do you remember the Provincial Youth Games? You defeated Gang Yang on the last jump and won the championship. Was the feeling wonderful?
”Now, for the second time, you only have one jump left again, and your opponent has taken the lead, just like in those Youth Games.” Dai Li stopped his massage and said, ”You like the feeling of flying in the air, but you should get more enjoyment from the sense of accomplishment that comes from defeating your opponents! Think about it; when you defeat strong opponents one after another, do you have an indescribable sense of satisfaction in your heart? Really think; when you are standing on the top of the winner's podium, is the feeling wonderful?”
”Sometimes you don't need a reason to pursue victory.” As Dai Li said this, he picked up a low-temperature analgesic spray and sprayed it on Haiquan Fang's leg.
”OK, go and get yourself prepared for the last trial jump. Go and defeat your opponent!” Dai Li helped Haiquan Fang stand up and watched him walk to the preparation area.
”Go and fly!” Dai Li murmured to himself.
...
Sardo stood in the run-up area for the 6th time.
He looked quite relaxed and excited. He forced himself to be serious, but still could not hide the joy he was feeling.
Sardo's score of 8.11 meters still ranked 1st, and this was only the trial jump. Another six players before him had failed to surpass him. Sardo thought the gold medal was already his.
As for Haiquan Fang, who had gone last, Sardo had already forgotten about him. Haiquan Fang had forfeited three trial jumps, so Sardo thought Haiquan Fang had given up.
As long as I finish this jump, I will be the champion. Sardo took a deep breath and concentrated all his attention on the jump, then began his run-up.
Take off, flight, landing… Sardo finished all the movements in one motion and landed steadily at the 8-meter line. Although this trial jump had not surpassed his best score, it was still a successful trial jump.
Sardo raised his hands in celebration as he walked out of the sandpit. At the same time, deafening cheers burst out of the grandstand.
”Thank you! Thank you all!” Sardo was very happy; he had not expected the audience to be so enthusiastic in congratulating his win. Sardo's face was filled with a winner's smile. He waved to the grandstand and posed with a handsome gesture so that a reporter could take his picture. To Sardo's surprise, however, all the reporters were still in the interview preparation area, and nobody had approached him.
These reporters are so unprofessional! Don't they know they should take pictures of the champion and interview him? As Sardo complained to himself, he turned around to wave to the grandstand on the other side. As he turned around, however, he saw an athlete standing in the run-up area.