He Kexin’s last meet 2013

Couch Gymnast has a terrific 2-part series based on interviews after London.

From the little girl who many assumed to be underage in Beijing, she ended up one of the gymnasts many cheered in London.

If she had missed — as a specialist — it would have been sad. :(

… ‘It’s two years since I last stood on the medal pedestal so I really hoped that I would be able to do so here in London. It doesn’t matter if its gold, silver or bronze I just wanted to stand on the pedestal again.’ …

… ‘I took the last spot on the team. I cherish this opportunity and am thankful to Coach Lu for using me. Because they chose me, they carried a huge burden. I am very happy to be able to do this for them.’…

she thought her biggest competitor would be Tweddle but Mustafina performed very well too. …

He Kexin Part One: “The Road to these Olympics Has Been Fraught…”

… for four major competitions I have drawn to go first …

Interviewer: Did the pressure come from yourself or your coaches?

He Kexin: Both. From myself it’s because I have failed too many times. …

Interviewer: Who is your idol?

He Kexin: I think Zhou Kai…..I mean not that kind of idol but I really admire his mental/ emotional capacity and the way he can control himself in competition

The interviewer asks her about her future plans.

He Kexin: After this? After I go back to Beijing? I will rest a few days, then its time to resume training for next year’s Nationals. After that I will retire. And then I will go to university.

He Kexin Part Two: “I Say it’s Okay, but in my Heart I Still Care”.

Marcus and others corrected me, explaining that the final competition she speaks of is the “2013 National Games“, held every 4yrs, not these annual Championships upcoming:

Chinese Nationals:

September 18th: MAG Podium Training
September 19th: WAG Podium Training
September 20th: MAG Qualification & AA
September 21st: WAG Qualification & AA
September 22nd: Event Finals – MAG FX, PH & SR. WAG VT & UB
September 23rd: Event Finals – MAG VT, PB & HB. WAG BB & FX

I’m already looking forward to He’s future tell-all biography.

(via Brigid Couch Gymnast McCarthy on Facebook)

9 comments ↓

#1 Marcus on 09.14.12 at 11:18 am

I thought she was referring to the 2013 national games.

#2 coach Rick on 09.14.12 at 12:32 pm

Got it. Thanks Marcus. I’ve updated that post to clarify.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_National_Games_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China

#3 TCO on 09.15.12 at 9:16 am

under-age cheater

#4 Maria on 09.16.12 at 1:31 am

I’m really happy for her.
After dealing with “OMIGAH HKX IS UNDERAGE STRIP HER MEDALS FIG, PLEASE!!!!111!111!” and “LOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHA, NOW THAT SHE ISN’T UNDERAGE ANYMORE SHE’S FAILING SOOOO HARD!” for the last quad, it’s quite nice to see her do well and exceed expectations at London. Good luck for the future, Kexin!

#5 TippingCows on 09.16.12 at 12:22 pm

I think sometimes people forget that these kids to often hear the negatives other spew forth at them and it can be hard to be in that position. If the underage thing IS true is that really her fault? I do not believe she can say no to the system and it is possible they are not even educated about age eligibility. I know in Communist countries the citizens can be very purposely sheltered from any and all information.

#6 TCO on 09.16.12 at 5:59 pm

Hell yeah, it’s her fault.

#7 Jen on 09.17.12 at 12:42 am

TCO = butthurt Nastia fan

#8 shergymrag on 09.17.12 at 5:29 am

Wrong Jen. TCO is about as anti-Nastia as you can get without actually hating her. He’s left the evidence in years worth of posts.

#9 Jen on 09.17.12 at 4:48 pm

So he’s just racist then? I’m not sure that’s any better.

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