In the field of track and field, Liu Xiang and Su Bingtian have a prominent reputation, but it is the women's athlete Wang Junxia who has created a new situation in China's track and field world.
She has broken the world record three times and is undoubtedly the strongest in the world.
Although she won a gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics and chose to retire from the competition, people are remembered not only for her brilliant athletics achievements, but also for her bumpy marriage – two divorces, a total of three marriages!
What brilliant achievements has Wang Junxia made? What did she go through after she was discharged from the military?
In the 70s of the 20th century, the only sport that our country could be proud of was table tennis, thanks to the development of table tennis diplomacy.
In such an environment, Wang Junxia was born, she is a native of Jiaohe City, Jilin Province, and her family lives in Jiapigou.
Wang Junxia's parents were farmers, and the family's livelihood depended on cultivating the land. Since she was a child, she has been working in the fields with adults, which not only trained her physique, but also allowed her to discover her talent for long-distance running and sprinting.
After Wang Junxia went to school, she did not give up her talent for long-distance running, she ran on the way to and from school, and the same was true in physical education class. At that time, the boys in the class couldn't outrun her.
After the teacher discovered that she had a talent for running, they focused on cultivating this specialty, and trained her in posture adjustment and endurance.
Teachers also recommended her to participate in the sports meetings held by the school and school district, and the championship results laid the foundation for Wang Junxia to turn into a professional athlete.
Wang Junxia's mentor was Professor Wang Shizhong, who was teaching at Dalian Sports School at the time, and later under his guidance, she was appreciated by Liaoning track and field coach Ma Junren and joined the provincial team.
In the new occasion, Wang Junxia faced more excellent athletes, both felt pressure and gained more motivation.
She has been honed by scientific training methods, her strength has improved significantly, and she has achieved good results in the competition.
Wang Junxia's limits were not like this, and her upbringing was driven by a heartbreaking past.
She was training with the Liaoning provincial team when she suddenly saw the news of her brother's unexpected death on the news.
When asked why her parents didn't tell her, her father wiped the tears from his eyes and said with an effort, "He's no longer alive, and it won't help you if you come back." He was proud of you when he was alive, and your dedication to training is the best thing to remember him. ”
Perhaps the unexpected death of her brother was not the fundamental reason why Wang Junxia reached the peak of her life in 1993, but it was an important motivation for her to work tirelessly and surpass her limits.
She broke the Asian record for the women's marathon in April 1993 and again in June of the same year, followed by the World Championships record in August.
Wang Junxia showed the spirit of becoming more and more courageous at the 7th National Games in September of the same year, she participated in the competition for 6 consecutive days, made a total of 5 appearances, and successfully rewrote 3 world records.
She also competed in the 5th World Cup marathon in Spain in 1993 and won the women's marathon at the 7th National Games, and it was far from over.
Wang Junxia continued her competitive spirit at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, winning gold in the women's 5,000m and silver in the women's 10,000m.
Her reputation as an oriental deer spread to the outside world at home and abroad, and the outside world only saw her brilliant achievements in athletics, but few people understood the pressure she was under when preparing for the competition, the fatigue after running and the pain caused by a strained leg muscle.
Therefore, when football player Zhan Yu comforted her, Wang Junxia married without hesitation in 1997.
Why did Wang Junxia choose to retire? She can also continue her career after getting married.
Wang Junxia submitted her retirement after the Atlanta Olympics.
The times she struggled were when her career was at its peak. Before her form slipped and she retired in disgrace, she preferred to retire in the rapids to let fans remember her most glorious moments.
She also wants to focus her energy on her love life, become a good wife and mother, and support Zhan Yu's career development. In addition, she does have this desire.
Their first meeting was so beautiful, but when they got along, they often quarreled over trivial matters, which gradually eroded their love for each other. Eventually, they divorced in 2006, leaving their son to be raised by their ex-husband.
In October 2008, Wang Junxia also started her second marriage, as we all know, the best way to be traumatized is to welcome new love.
She had won many honors for her family and country, and now she has even changed her nationality in order to follow her husband and settle abroad.
However, Wang's followers failed to bring lasting happiness to their second marriage, and they divorced in 2013.
In June 2015, that is, 2 years later, Wang Junxia, who still yearns for love, ushered in her third marriage, and this time she finally found her true destiny.
After all, the couple also participated in the show very closely in 2015, showing their affection, and it can be said that Li Huiyang is really good to her.
Of course, while managing her feelings, Wang Junxia did not give up her love for running. Even when she can't compete, she's using her influence to promote athletics.
In June 2023, she was awarded the title of "Baotou Marathon Promotion Ambassador" by the Baotou Sports Bureau, and she has always maintained a state of readiness and will go all out as long as the country needs it.
Whether she travels to the U.S. or not, we will always remember her accomplishments and wish her happiness.