Chapter 248: A Finish That Takes Everything (1/2)

Chapter 248: A Finish That Takes Everything

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The third leg of the race was the most important part of the relay race in the 4x100m competition. Compared to the other legs, the third runner had to run the longest curve, and had to complete the final handoff, which required the best technique.

In addition, the third runner tended to feel nervous because the upcoming curve was the final one. They wanted to hand off the baton as soon as possible. However, the more nervous they were, the more mistakes they tended to make.

The fourth runner, on the other hand, only had to focus on one thing once they got the baton in their hand—running! This was the only thought in their mind, and because of this they generally felt less nervous.

Dai Li had chosen Kenen Shen to be the third runner because he was good at running the curve and had a lot of experience.

As an experienced athlete, he knew about curve running technique. When an athlete reached Kenan Shen's age, who had been sprinting for a dozen years, although they might not be the best runner when it came to curve running technique, they would still be masters to some extent.

As for experience, Kenan Shen was also a great athlete experienced in running. When he was younger, he was an excellent sprinter who went to various national sports games, which young athletes could never compare to.

In a man's thirties, even someone who was irritable could become patient, at least in the moment. Kenan Shen was not worried.

”Handoff!” Kenan Shen shouted as he stuck the baton out.

”Receiving!” Dong Qian grabbed the baton immediately, then rushed forward at a high speed. It was perfect teamwork again; so smooth and perfect!

Compared to other relay teams, the cooperation between Kenan Shen and Dong Qian was much smoother and faster. Outsiders might not have noticed this, but in the eyes of professional sprinting coaches, this was similar to a masterpiece.

”Perfect!” Li Xue commented. He had to compliment Kenan Shen for his handoff.

When judging the relay event, the performance of the next runner who received the baton decided the result. The athlete handing off the baton was not only a starter, but also an organizer of the relay process.

In the third leg of the race, Kenan Shen had done his best, regardless of his timing or other aspects of a sprinter who had to perform a handoff. He was one of the best relay runners just for what he had just done.

Perfect teamwork allowed Dong Qian to become the first one to leave the starting point for the last leg. He sped up. He realized he could maintain their advantage and be the first runner for at least the first ten meters.

Dong Qian was capable of competing in official competitions just because of his current performance. He was also one of Dai Li's best athletes. It would not be exaggerating to say he was the fastest sprinter on the Hanbei track and field team. But when it came to being the anchor of a team, every team would send their best runner.

Sijie Yang, Yue Zhao, Jun Xie, and Zitao Wei… The first two were Asian Games champions, and the other two had also won many national prizes for finishing in first place.

Dong Qian was still not as good as them. Even worse, there weren't any more opportunities to catch up. Dong Qian's performance mattered a lot. It would make a difference if his advantage would help him remain the fastest until the end of the race.

Everyone tried their best in the last leg of the race. Even if they had made some mistakes and become the slowest in the group, they would try their best right now.

…

Jun Xie held the baton tightly while he ran as fast as he could.

As an excellent sprinter on the national team, it wasn't that he didn't know he would be chasing after others; it was just that in Jun Xie's mind, he would have been chasing Sijie Yang, Yue Zhao, or Zitao Wei, his old team mate.

Right now, however, Jun Xie found that he was chasing after someone he didn't know at all.

Dong Qian was quite a famous athlete in the Hanbei Province, but he wasn't famous enough to be recognized nationwide. It was understandable for top athletes like Jun Xie to not know him.

How could this nobody be ahead of me? Jun Qian looked towards the front of the pack unhappily.

Luckily he is not as fast as I am. Once Jun Qian realized this, he began running at the speed of light.

The gap is narrowing! Jun Xie seemed to see a glimpse of hope.