BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Despite a weekend of heartbreak at the 2025 ISU Short Track World Championships in Beijing, Chinese veteran Fan Kexin remains defiantly optimistic.

The 31-year-old saw her individual campaign came to an abrupt end on Sunday when she lost balance during the women's 500m quarterfinal. A day earlier, she and teammates were penalized for a block in the relay semifinal, denying them a shot at the final. Yet, as the home crowd roared encouragement during her stumble, Fan felt an unexpected surge of resolve.

"Standing there, I suddenly felt like I was back in my prime," Fan said on Sunday. "I didn't treat it as a preliminary race, it felt like a final. My instincts kicked in. I wanted to push hard early, knowing others might falter later. That confidence, that feeling of racing is back."

Her return to competition after a brief hiatus has been anything but smooth. Battling rapid muscle atrophy and multiple lingering injuries, Fan admitted she initially struggled with basic exercises like single-leg squats.

"I didn't expect so many physical hurdles," she said. "But I couldn't let my parents know. I didn't want them to worry. This journey isn't just for them. It's for my teammates, our coaches, and everyone who believes in representing our country. Not everyone gets this honor."

Fan's resilience mirrors her career-long ethos. At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, she anchored China's mixed relay to gold, a crowning moment in a career punctuated by teamwork.

Now, as a mentor to younger skaters, she emphasizes collective triumph. "The real victory is when the whole team stands on the podium," she said. "We're building a legacy. The younger generation must carry this forward. Our predecessors paved the way. We owe it to them to keep improving."

When asked about her brightest moment this season, Fan's answer was characteristically selfless: "Every race I got to skate, to fight alongside my teammates - that's my joy. I've rediscovered my confidence. What stays is the happiness of competing."

Looking ahead, Fan eyes the next season with renewed focus. "We'll refine our relays. Step by step, we'll keep climbing," she said. "And when I retire? I'll have a lifetime to be 'just' a daughter to my parents. But for now, I'm here to give everything." Enditem

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