by sportswriter He Leijing

NANJING, China, March 23 (Xinhua) -- In the fast-paced world of track and field, Chen Yujie, a rising star in Chinese women's sprinting, may have appeared a bit out of place among seasoned international athletes, but her enthusiasm and determination shone through.

The 16-year-old sprinting prodigy made her debut in the women's 60m heats on Saturday at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships, held in Nanjing, China, with a clear focus on learning rather than winning.

As the youngest athlete of the championships, Chen's participation in the senior category was a monumental step in her career, though it was no surprise that she did not advance to the next round.

"I felt incredibly nervous before the race, my hands were shaking, but I also felt so fortunate to be able to learn from such outstanding athletes," said Chen, still a high school student. "It was truly a dream to compete alongside them."

24-YEAR AGE GAP

In a striking coincidence, Chen found herself sharing the same heat with the oldest competitor in the event, Turkmenistan's Valentina Meredova, 40.

Both athletes failed to make it to the semifinals, but the shared moment spoke volumes about the passage of time and the enduring passion for the sport.

Meredova, who represented Turkmenistan at the Paris 2024 Olympics, had competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Chen was at first unaware of the huge age gap.

"At first, I didn't realize there was such an age gap until my parents mentioned it," Chen said. "My parents, both in their 50s and former athletes themselves, have always followed track and field closely. They told me that they had watched Meredova compete when they were younger."

Chen expressed deep admiration for the veteran athlete's dedication to the sport, calling it "remarkable" to maintain such passion for athletics over so many years. "It's not easy to keep competing at such a high level. I truly respect that kind of persistence."

"No matter the age difference, these athletes are my role models. I can learn so much from them, whether it's their race strategies or their approach to the sport," she added.

Chen has quickly emerged as one of China's brightest sprinting talents in recent years. This season, she clocked an impressive 7.26 seconds in the 60m, breaking the Asian junior record and securing a spot at the Nanjing World Indoor Championships.

FOCUSING ON IMPROVING

"I've never thought about whether I'll still be on the track running at 40," Chen mused. "Rather than focusing on what might happen in the distant future, I prefer to embrace the present and do my best in every race."

For now, Chen is entirely focused on self-improvement. "What I want to do is just to seize the moment and keep improving," she said with a sense of maturity beyond her years.

Having grown accustomed to competing in domestic events where she is familiar with the athletes, the senior international stage was a whole new experience for Chen. Nervousness crept in as she encountered some of the most well-known names in global athletics.

"I was even still a bit uncomfortable with the English-speaking environment," she admitted.

Although she was not satisfied with her debut performance, Chen remains optimistic. "The result was not ideal, but I don't feel burdened. When I go back, I'll study the race footage to see where I can improve," she said. "I'm excited to observe and learn from the techniques of the international athletes."

Chen's mindset continues to evolve. "It's not just about the results; I also want to see how others prepare for the race and figure out why I couldn't bring my best form to the track," she said.

Born in the city of Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Chen is an only child in her family and has received much support from the older members of the Chinese athletics team. "They're like guiding lights for me, sharing their experiences and helping me grow," she said.

For the young sprinter, the opportunity to compete on the international stage still feels surreal. "I'm not just representing China's youth, but also the young people from around the world at the world championships," Chen said.

"I hope to seize more opportunities in the future and show my best to the world," she added. As she now prepares to return to school and resume her academic journey, Chen is eager to embark on the next chapter of her athletic career.

"I do miss my teachers and classmates a bit, but I still have homework to catch up on," she said, with a playful grin. Enditem

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