Dive, dream, discover
Chen Yuxi provides a snapshot of her life beyond the platform
"My mom said I might not have another chance to compete in gymnastics, so she encouraged me to take part," Chen recalls. She spent a week briefly revisiting gymnastics, practicing a routine on the high and low bars. During the competition, it was her father, nervously watching from below, who seemed more anxious than Chen herself.
While gymnastics had been taught to her by her father, the young girl faced a new challenge when she transitioned to diving — adapting to a new coach. Initially, she was resistant. Terrified of water, she struggled with swimming lessons, and despite the efforts of over a dozen coaches, she couldn't seem to overcome her fear.
Chen remembers the fear that gripped her when she first began learning the 10m platform dive in 2017. "In the beginning, I wasn't clear on my flips or how many twists I had done — it all felt chaotic. If I got too scared and became stiff, I couldn't execute the moves properly, which often led to mistakes and injuries," she recalls.
