Barefoot Man’ is ready!

GWANGJU – The day before the athletic competitions starts, Yang Zhanlin, the sprinter from Tsinghua University, arrived at the Athletes’ Village and enjoyed some facilities in the playroom. “This is my second time to participate in the Universiade, and I’m very proud of being selected”, Yang commented.

Yang relaxing in the Village playing some table hockey

Yang has an interesting nickname: ‘Barefoot Man’. When he was in high school, he was famous for his fast running speed. However, he was not interested in sprint, but painting. Once at a school sports festival, he took part in the 100m race barefoot, and won it. “I can afford running shoes, but it’s freer and more relaxed to run barefoot”, he said. After that, Yang attended the Dongguan City Sports School to receive professional training, which made Yang smoothly “run” into the Tsinghua University.

Yang did not like sprint at first. “I remember an event I participated in casual clothes, which made other athletes see me I as a volunteer when I wanted to try the track before the race,” and there was an athlete who asked Yang to watch his bag. “Now, the competition in sprint attracts me. You can’t always predict who wins in the 100m race, and imagine what could happen in those 10 seconds.”

It will be Yang’s last Universiade so he is eager to get a medal.

Jiang Kaixiao (CHN), FISU Young Reporter