I want to meet Cheng Fei

Like most, I’ve admired Cheng Fei for years.

But never been a big fan. Until now.

Why is she still competing at age-20 when dozens of younger girls are waiting for her spot on National Team?

Her passion for the sport is a really compelling story.

Here’s the best coverage yet, on the hottest new gymnastics blog:

As we all know, Cheng Fei had a rocky Olympics. She was on cloud nine after the team competition, only to swallow a bitter pill during the individual event finals, an experience she likened to “a trip from Heaven to Hell.”

According to this Sina article, Cheng cried all night after her disappointing performances on vault and floor. “I cried until my soul had completely left my body,” Cheng was quoted as saying.

Cheng Fei after her ordeal at the Olympics (photo: Amy Sancetta/AP Photo)

She felt empty and wasn’t sure whether she wanted to go on competing. But her coaches felt she should, to exorcise the demons that were haunting her. Said coach Lu Shanzhen, “We’re letting Cheng Fei go on taking part in competitions both at home and abroad to let her find that competitive spirit, to dispel the shadow of the mistakes she made at the Beijing Olympics. Unexpectedly [according to coach Liu Qunlin, Cheng’s training has been far from systematic lately because of her many post-Olympic activities], she is performing better at each competition. Her beam and floor are already close to her peak level.” …

Triple Full – “I Cried Until My Soul Had Completely Left My Body”

I highly recommend you read that blog every day.