Speed skating champion Gao Tingyu reflected on overcoming challenges and mental strength after winning three golds at the Harbin Asian Winter Games.
HARBIN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese speed skating Olympic champion Gao Tingyu, who won three gold medals at the Harbin Asian Winter Games, spoke candidly about the challenges he faced on and off the ice in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Monday.
Gao secured a scintillating victory in the men's 100-meter race on the first day of competition before claiming two more golds in the 500m and team sprint on Monday afternoon.
Successfully defending his 500m title in 34.95 seconds, Gao acknowledged the immense pressure he felt, especially after Japan's Wataru Morishige, a bronze medalist at the Beijing Winter Olympics, posted an impressive 34.97 in the preceding pair.
"Competing as the defending champion, the pressure was significant, particularly with how fast the skaters ahead of me were going. I achieved what I wanted, but there were some unexpected challenges along the way," Gao said. "I had dealt with some minor injuries and health setbacks, but I managed to overcome them and push through."
Since the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Gao has struggled with injuries, including issues with his waist, knees, and legs. Asked about his recovery, he said, "I'm feeling about 60 to 70 percent recovered now. The team doctors have been instrumental in helping me, but more than that, my determination to never lose on the field drives me. Especially when facing such strong opponents, I have to keep my composure and believe in myself."
The physical toll of competition was evident, as Gao vomited after his race, briefly trending on social media. "The physical strain was overwhelming, and I felt terrible afterward. My head was still pounding, but my belief in representing my country kept me going," he said.
Competing on home ice in Harbin, the Heilongjiang native expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic support from local fans. "The atmosphere here is incredible. The crowd's energy is so positive, and the support for the Chinese team has been overwhelming," he said.
Gao's family, unable to attend due to ticket shortage, closely followed his performances. "They usually watch me on TV and avoid contacting me during the competition to avert distraction," he said.
China achieved a historic best in speed skating at the Harbin Winter Asiad, winning 11 gold, five silver, and five bronze medals-a significant improvement from the lone gold Gao won at the previous Games in Sapporo, Japan. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the future of Chinese speed skating.
"It's fantastic to see younger athletes rising and challenging me. This healthy competition is vital for the growth of the sport," he said. "When I was younger, I was often on my own [in winning medals]. Now, we have a strong contingent, and it only motivates me to train harder."
As he shifts focus to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Gao is refining his technique and mental approach. "I'm focusing more on my start speed and overall technique. I need to be quicker, especially in the early stages of the race," he said. "Mentally, I feel more stable now, and I've improved in handling pressure."
With a bronze from PyeongChang 2018 and a gold from Beijing 2022, Gao remains determined to make history in Milan-Cortina. "I aim to be on the podium once again, aiming for a third consecutive appearance. As far as I know, no one has accomplished this yet," he said.
Gao shared his travel habit: "I always bring my pillow, and if I could, I'd bring my mattress too," he laughed. "It helps me sleep better, even if I had a bit of insomnia last night due to the pressure."
Off the ice, he has embraced a more balanced life, engaging in social activities and attending university after Beijing 2022. "Training and competitions are important, but life should be diverse," he said. "I enjoy taking walks outside and finding joy in the simple things. It helps me stay grounded."
Reflecting on his approach to social media, Gao said he has learned to manage distractions better. "During the Beijing Olympics, I got disconnected completely, but this time, I just focused on not engaging too much, listening to music, and staying calm. I even lost my phone for a while, but thankfully it was found later," he said. ■
