At the 2024 China National Track and Field Championships, local hero Wu Yanni clinched the gold medal in the women’s 100-metre hurdles. Not only did the 27-year-old improve her personal record by 0.02 seconds, she also set an Asian best for the season in this event.
On Chinese social media, Wu is one of the most popular and talked-about athletes, not only for her remarkable performances on the track but also her tattoos, race-day make-up and outspoken personality, which often clashes with conventional expectations. And, as Wu gets ready to step out at the Stade de France to take on the world’s best, here’s all you need to know about the fiery runner. Born in 1997 in Zigong, a city in southwestern Sichuan province, Wu was an exceptionally restless child.
To channel her boundless energy, her mother enrolled her in dance classes. Wu’s journey into track and field began in the fifth grade when she was spotted during a sports competition held in Neijiang, Sichuan. From there, she went to get further training in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan.
In 2012, after being picked up by Yang Hui, a coach from the Beijing Sport University hurdles team, Wu began her career in 100-metre hurdles. Seven years later, her notable performances earned her a spot on China’s national athletics squad. Yang once described Wu as “made for hurdling” during an interview with local Chinese media, adding: “She possesses many of the qualities that define a great athlete.
” Wu soon began .