Liao Hui's weightlifting legend is glamorous and full of ups and downs, he was once a rising star in the sports world, known as a "genius", but at the height of his career, he was ruthlessly banned, missed the opportunity to participate in the Olympics, and finally withdrew from the competition with resentment. It's a story of legends and twists and turns, and whether you're climbing to the top or falling into the trough, life is always a journey. As Bi Shumin said: "Whether it is the peak or the trough, I am still me."
Liao Hui's start and persistence, Liao Hui from Xiantao City, Hubei Province, was valued by weightlifting coach Gan Yongkui at a young age, so he embarked on the road of weightlifting. Although his parents had objected, believing that weightlifting would affect physical development, Liao Hui's persistence and love overcame all resistance. He entered the provincial weightlifting team at the age of 13 and became a star in the Bayi weightlifting team at the age of 21, gradually rising to the national team, showing extraordinary talent and hard work.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Liao Hui won the gold medal in the 69kg competition and became a model for the new generation of Chinese weightlifting. Subsequently, at the 2009 National Games, he not only successfully defended his title, but also broke the Asian record. Liao Hui's weightlifting career is like a clear sky, and it has been smooth sailing. Unexpected events in adversity, however, an athlete's career is often accompanied by a variety of challenges. In the process of preparing for the London Olympics, Liao Hui faced unprecedented troubles.
In September of the same year, he tested positive for urine and was banned for four years. The sudden blow was incredulous to Liao Hui, who insisted that he had never used illegal drugs and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which eventually reduced the ban to two years. The rise and determination at the bottom, during the ban, Liao Hui was not depressed, but more determined to devote himself to training. During the two-year gap, he did a deep reflection, accompanied his parents, and re-examined his weightlifting path.
Despite being affected by the IWF's unfair ruling, Liao Hui's state of mind gradually calmed down, and he believes that the experience has made him stronger and found his place. In 2013, Liao Hui made a comeback to participate in the World Championships, showing an impressive form. Not only successfully defended his title, but also broke the world record in one fell swoop and became a new legend in the weightlifting world. His performance on the Circle saw the pinnacle come back and shine like a rebirth.
The regret and anger of not being able to participate in the Olympics retired, however, as the Rio Olympics approached, Liao Hui was replaced before the game for no reason and missed the competition. The coach of the national team announced that Liao Hui was injured, but the specific reason has not been clear. This made Liao Hui incomprehensible, and also made him announce his retirement with regret and anger. Liao Hui ended his career as an athlete not because of old age, but because of an unexplained substitution, which became an insurmountable obstacle in his career. After retiring from the army, he thought about the future and looked ahead.
Although Liao Hui failed to win an Olympic gold medal after retiring, his love for weightlifting remains the same. "I'd rather die in the ring than leave," he said. "This perseverance and loyalty to the dream is touching. Liao Hui's retirement is not the end, but a new starting point. In the time at the bottom, he experienced hesitation, unwillingness and forbearance, but he still chose to be himself, and it was enough to be himself.
Zhang Ailing once said: "What we are most afraid of is not what the current environment is, but that over time, we will no longer be able to distinguish ourselves from them." "Liao Hui's story is like a touching **, with the glory of the peak, the ups and downs of the valley, and the test of setbacks and injustice. However, he chose not to complain and become his own hero. In this story, Liao Hui may not have a perfect ending, but his persistence and bravery are remembered. Whether it is the peak or the bottom, he is still himself, Liao Hui.