07/08/2021
"Mom needs a lot of money to see a doctor. I have to work hard to make money so that I can send it back to her for medical treatment."
Quan Hongchan is a 14-year-old diver from China who took home the gold medal in the women’s 10m platform on Thursday. Out of her 5 dives, she managed to clinch 3 perfect-10 scores, allowing her to emerge as champion. She even beat the Olympic record of 447.70 with a final score of 466.20.
According to an article by Sohu News, Quan revealed that she wanted to be a diver to help with her family’s finances, especially her mother’s medical bills. She frankly said, "Mom needs a lot of money to see a doctor. I have to work hard to make money so that I can send it back to her for medical treatment." Her mother apparently sacrificed a lot to pave the way for her to become a diver, and Quan wants to repay her back.
Quan came from a low-income family. She started diving at the tender age of 7 and worked very hard. While her teammates were unable to endure the tough training, she always practiced hard silently. She said, “I listen to my coach very carefully and follow his instructions very carefully.”
Her hard work eventually paid off when she was selected to represent her country in the Olympics after achieving two championships and one third place in the three Olympic qualifiers. Quan told the interviewer that although her competitors in the Olympics were “a series of super opponents”, she was able to unleash her fullest potential with the thoughts of giving her family a better life.
She then carried on to thank her parents for their support, and even dedicated her gold medal win to her mother.
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While kids of that age should be out enjoying their lives and not worrying about something stressful like finances, Quan took it upon herself to take on that burden just so that she can remove it from her parents’ shoulders. At the age of 14, she is already so sensible.
A big congratulations to Quan for her victory and we wish things will get better for her and her family in the near future!
abstracted from TRS