Chapter 127: The Last Jump
Chapter 127: The Last Jump
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"7.66 meters! The genius from the provincial team is two centimeters clear of Gang Yang!"
"I remember that he only got around 7.5 meters in the qualifying session. I guess he was not trying his best."
"He is inhuman. Few people could attain such an achievement at 16-years-old. I wonder if he will be selected to the national team."
"How could it be possible for him to be recruited in the national team at sixteen? I remember Feixiang Lin went to the national team at sixteen. Do you think that this boy will be another Feixiang Lin?"
Haiquan Fang was being widely discussed. Almost everyone was admiring and envying him. As for Gang Yang's 7.64-meter score, it was already being neglected.
Shouliang Zhao's face was flushed pink. He had already experienced something similar before. The painful memory of the event arose in his mind.
Two years ago in the Yuzhou City Adolescent Activity Center, he and Dai Li's students had competed in the standing long jump. He had sent his best student, who had jumped 2.17 meters. Dai Li, on the other hand, had sent his fattest student, who had jumped 2.25 meters. It was an embarrassment. Shouliang Zhao would never forget it.
Today, history had repeated itself. His student had jumped 7.64 meters. Then, while he had been proud of himself, Dai Li's trainee paid him back with a 7.66-meter score. He had immediately gotten humiliated. It was exactly the same as the events that had occurred two years ago.
Damn it! Shouliang Zhao was filled with anger, but he had nowhere to vent to vent his frustrations.
"Gang Yang, listen: you must win!" Shouliang Zhao told Gang Yang with a angry stare. Gang Yang was scared.
There were two performances that followed that were above 7.60 meters, which indicated that the others would be excluded from championship contention. Even Chenglong Hong, who was in third place, knew that he would not able to exceed the top two. He sighed helplessly, accepting the cruel fact.
Haiquan Fang and Gang Yang were playing each other for the championship. After the fourth round, Haiquan Fang was winning the competition.
The fifth round had arrived. Gang Yang walked onto the stage.
Gang Yang was actually 22-years-old, and was in his prime. Fighting against a group of younger people, he was unwilling to be defeated. Even getting second place was unacceptable in his eyes, let alone getting second pace to a 16-year-old.
Gang Yang held his breath and concentrated. He immediately sped up.
His years of training were on full display in that moment. Gang Yang rushed to the jumping board, then took off into the sky.
"That is really high!" someone exclaimed, astonished.
In the long jump, height decided the final distance. When in the air, the higher the athlete rose, the longer he could stay above ground. They could glide further as a result, giving them a better score.
The next second, Gang Yang landed. All the attention was on the sandpit.
"My God, it is over 7.7 meters!" someone shouted.
The next second, the surveyor reported Gang Yang's mark. "7.72 meters!"
"7.72 meters! Is this still the Youth Game? This is definitely an adult game!"
"Oh-o-ooh!"Gang Yang roared, letting out his emotions.
Shouliang Zhao cheered up, staring at Dai Li sinisterly.
The pressure was now on Dai Li and Haiquan Fang.
...
In the front row of the auditorium, Dalu Fang sat down.
That athlete jumped 7.72 meters. Does that mean that Haiquan Fang is falling behind? Dalu Fang was unhappy. Although he did not support his son being an athlete, he did not want to see his son be defeated by someone else.
Haiquan Fang showed up for his fifth attempt. Dalu Fang focused on the field. At that time, he suddenly realized that he was a little nervous, but still hoped for good things to happen.
What is going on? Why do I feel nervous? Why am I hoping to see Haiquan Fang win? Dalu Fang was surprised. With his life experience, he had already equipped himself with composure. Even if he had been dealing with a billion yuan business, he would not have been like this.
As he regained his composure, Haiquan Fang began accelerating. When Haiquan Fang took off and rose into the air, Dalu Fang suddenly felt his heart jump. But it was also in that moment, however, that the judge sitting beside the jumping board raised a red flag!
This meant that Haiquan Fang had broken the rules by stepping on the takeoff line. If he had not done anything wrong, the judge would have raised a white flag instead.
"Ah!" Dalu Fang sighed involuntarily. He felt very upset.
Wait a minute, why do I feel disappointed? I am the one who is against Haiquan Fang! I should feel happy when he fails! Dalu Fang was confused. Apparently he had underestimated the fascination of sport!
...
Haiquan Fang's failure on his fifth attempt got Shouliang Zhao fired up.
"Gang Yang, 7.72 meters is not your best performance! You can do better! There is only one attempt left. Do not mess up, keep working hard and give that boy a hard hit!"
"Roger that, Coach!" Now that he was back in the lead, Gang Yang had become motivated again. He could not wait to defeat his opponent.
Haiquan Fang's face was red. He was falling behind, and with his recent failure, he would only have one last attempt to get a higher score than Gang Yang. He was now anxious again, and began doubting himself.
Dai Li noticed Haiquan Fang's change in mood. Haiquan Fang is new to competitions. He is too young with too little experience to perform steadily. He must relax. If he keeps doing so, he will not be able to use even 70% of his ability, let alone outdo himself. What should I do?
Dai Li was lost. He had no idea what to do. In this condition, he could only pray that Haiquan Fang outdo himself. Unfortunately, it was only a good thought. Haiquan Fang was too disheartened.
This was what young athletes had to go through. They had to learn from it.
...
It was Gang Yang's last attempt. He stood in the run-up area, staring at the sandpit in the front like an angry lion.
He then ran up, took off, rose into the air, and fell down. Gang Yang's last performance was perfect!
"Is it 7.8 meters? His footprint is on the 7.8-meter mark, which is definitely a good adult athlete's performance. If this was a national championship, he would be capable of winning a medal!"
"Gang Yang is so good! His last jump was better than his fifth. He is definitely going to attend national competitions!"
"Here comes the grade, it is 7.79 meters. Within a hair's breadth of 7.8 meters!"
"Ha, looks like the champion is decided! It does not matter how hard that 16-year-old genius tries. He cannot reach 7.8 meters, can he?"
Surrounded by people's discussion, Gang Yang raised his arms above his head, seemingly celebrating his success in advance. Shouliang Zhao smiled widely.
Dai Li, how can you defeat me now?! I will win for sure! I will let you know what it feels like to be trampled!
...
In the auditorium, Dalu Fang gritted his teeth. Obviously he did not like to witness his son's failure. But Haiquan Fang's face looked paler. The opponent's great success had put a lot of pressure on him!
Dai Li could not do anything besides bite his nails. When an athlete had psychological problems, he could not solve it right away. It was something that young athletes had to overcome themselves. Once they gained more experience, the issue would not occur again.
What should I do? I am going to lose the game! Dai Li pressed against his temples. He was brainstorming.
Shouliang Zhao stood across from Dai Li, laughing with a snort. Dai Li gave him a condescending look in return. When he looked away, he suddenly recognized a person sitting in the front row of the auditorium. The man looked familiar.
Dai Li turned around. It is Dalu Fang. He has come to watch Haiquan Fang's game!
At that second, it occurred to Dai Li that his savior had arrived!