TOKYO - The story of 14-year-old debutant diver from China, Quan Hongchan, who took the gold medal in the women’s 10-metre platform at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday should serve as an inspiration to many.
Would anyone at that tender age become motivated to take up the sport just so that she could help her farmer family financially? Not only did Quan do that but also her bit in helping with the medical expenses of her mother who requires all year treatment.
At that young age Quan smashed her competitors to win the event by a mile.
Judges awarded her with 3 perfect-10 scores out of 5 dives after she executed a near splash-less dive.
The new Olympic champion finished with a final score of 466.20, smashing the previous Olympic record of 447.70.
She is currently China’s 2nd youngest Olympic gold medallist in diving after Fu Mingxia, who won gold the 10-metre platform in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when 12.
Quan is thankful for the encouragement from her parents for their advice to remain relaxed.
Not many 14-year-olds can be mature and humble as Quan in wanting to help their families at such a young age and through such a challenging pursuit. - Agencies. August 6, 2021.
