450 Leg Length Discrepancy Has Its Advantages Too (1/2)

In the athlete's lounge, Shawn Ford seemed withdrawn. He changed his outfit while seated in the corner. The athletes around him were chit-chatting with each other without noticing his existence.

He used to be the champion of the track and field world championship. He had been one of the best 200m sprinters in the world, but now, he had long left the glories of the world championship behind. Ever since that world championship tournament, he had never achieved a decent result again, and he couldn't even make it through the domestic trial tournaments in the US.

The tan flower appears only briefly. That was people's general assessment of Shawn Ford. Looking across the sports industry, there were many athletes like that. Ford wasn't the first, and he wouldn't be the last. However, athletes like Ford who stood at the peak of the world and then immediately fell from grace were few and far between.

When mentioning Shawn Ford's name, everyone would be reminded of the world championship that he won, as well as the unfruitful career that came after. They would look at Ford with a peculiar look in their eyes. Within it was sympathy, regret, and even delight!

It was especially true when other athletes saw Ford. The most prominent feeling was a sense of delight. After all, being in the same line of work meant that they were enemies, and there was always only going to be one winner. If someone won first prize, then someone else couldn't. Weakening an opponent who was better meant that the person was one step closer to winning the championship.

Ford hated those strange stares, but he couldn't control the behavior of others. All he could do was distance himself from them. He held onto his peace of mind by not seeing. It was more like avoiding the issue, and at the same time, it made Ford increasingly withdrawn.

The sound of footsteps drew nearer and stopped in front of Ford. Ford lifted his head to see the face of a Chinese man.

Ford recognized Dai Li. It's that Coach Li from LA.

In track and field, Chinese coaches were a rarity. So in the afternoon, when Dai Li appeared in the athlete's locker room, he attracted the attention of all of the athletes. After exchanging information with each other, everyone found out quickly that the Chinese man was the owner of Coach Lee's Physical Fitness Training Center, the famous Coach Li of Los Angeles.

”Shawn. Is it alright if I call you that?” Dai Li was the first to speak.

”It's alright, Coach Li. This is probably the first time we've met. Is there anything I can do for you?” There was a slight hint of hesitation in Shawn Ford's tone, as if it had been too long since he last talked to a stranger, which made him forget how to speak.

Dai Li said straightforwardly, ”Shawn, are you interested in coming to my training center?”

Ford was instantly baffled. He never would have thought that Dai Li was there to look for clients for his training center, but what surprised him most was that the client Dai Li searched for was himself. That was because there were many athletes who were more affluent than him. Not to mention that Dai Li was the boss; he didn't have to act like a salesman looking for clients.

As if Dai Li knew Ford's thoughts, he added, ”Don't misunderstand, I'm coming here as a track and field coach. I just want to ask if you are interested in working with me, and letting me be your coach?”

Ford finally understood. He asked, ”There are so many athletes here. Some of them are younger than me, more talented than me, and have better results than me. Why have you picked me?”

”In this room, it is true that there are people who are younger than you and have better results than you, but when it comes to talent, that might not be the case.” Dai Li smiled and continued, ”You have congenital scoliosis, which made your right leg half an inch shorter than your left leg. This has affected your speed. I'm right, aren't I?”

”How did you know this?” Ford looked surprised, but calmed down immediately after. ”It's normal for you to now. All my previous coaches knew this, so it's not odd for you to have found out.”

”Which is why I believe that my training suits you. I can help you solve this problem,” Dai Li said.

”How would you solve this?” Ford looked at Dai Li half suspiciously. His leg length discrepancy had been troubling him constantly. Now that someone suddenly told him that it was possible to solve the problem, Ford's first reaction was to not believe him.

”I definitely have a solution, but I can't tell you yet.” Dai Li shook his head and said, ”But I would like to ask you to believe me. I really can solve your problem. Your trouble is only a leg length discrepancy. I've seen more serious situations, like having no legs at all!”

It was then that Ford remembered, Dai Li was the one who groomed the ”Blade Warrior” Barron Philip. Dai Li had helped a disabled person without both legs to appear on the stage of the world championship. Compared to Philip, Ford's leg length discrepancy was nothing.

This Coach Li can help a disabled person without both legs to appear on the stage of the world championship. The ”Blade Warrior” had a more severe problem than me, so perhaps this Coach Li really is better at training athletes with physical defects. As Ford thought of that, he was slightly moved.

However, in the next second, Ford shook his head and said, ”Coach Li, I'm sorry, I'm currently in Coach Thomas's training camp.”

”Thomas's training camp is similar to my place, so why not try out at my place? The equipment of my training center is top-notch in America, and I can guarantee that you will be afforded a lot of individual guidance,” Dai Li said.

”What I mean is that I don't have that much money…” Ford said awkwardly.

The US did not have provincial training teams like in China. Athletes who had money would naturally hire specialized coaches to provide personal training services. Some might even spend money to create a coaching team. Athletes without money could only join training camps by other coaches or train at some clubs.

It was the same for coaches. Wealthy coaches could own and operate a training center, and reputable coaches could also open up clubs under their names, or rent a place to conduct training camps while recruiting athletes. It was similar to the private training courses in China. Coaches who weren't as good could only work for others at these sports clubs.

Ford was obviously not a wealthy athlete. Although he had won the first prize in the world championship once, he hadn't achieved any good results since then. An inconsistent achievement like that didn't earn money. He couldn't hire a specialized coach, as well as an agent. He knew better than anyone he couldn't afford the expensive training fees.

Ford said that he didn't have money. However, Dai Li laughed without paying it any notice. ”Perhaps we can change to a different payment method. You don't have to pay my training fees, but the bonuses that you earn in the future, and your appearance and endorsement fees as well, you have to share your earnings with me. The same amount that you would pay an agent!”