Marrying Three Apprentices, Turning an Olympic Champion into a Homemaker, How Outrageous Can He Be?
Taking 1.7 million out of a 2 million prize to buy a car for the coach, yet not even using a mobile phone or computer himself, the woman becomes famous, while the "gold medal coach" falls from grace.
Having married thrice, each time to someone remarkable, what exactly is it that makes Jin Wei stand out?
"Fame"
The hardest battles to fight are those with no recognition; being born into a working-class family provides little help. Fortunately, there is talent. At the age of 9, she was sent to a swimming club, moving from Liaoning to Shanghai, from obscurity to fame. Liu Zige dedicated her best years to swimming.
Those who focus solely on their pursuits always succeed. At just 19 years old in 2008, she made her debut at the world championships, a young age but with remarkable abilities, winning the women's 200m butterfly and breaking the world record, a feat more dazzling than the gold medal itself.
This was only the beginning. In 2009, 2011, and 2013 World Championships, Liu Zige never fell short of the podium, especially the 2013 championship, which solidified the 200m butterfly as China's ace event.
In sports history, the precious "rebirth" stands in stark contrast to the quiet Liu Zige, who is both champion and a low-key individual. She dislikes socializing and the internet, finding a mobile phone sufficient for contacting family. Despite becoming a champion with commercial value, she tells the media, "Just contact the coach if there's anything."
Hiding behind the noise, Liu Zige reads books voraciously. In an era where everyone complains about not having enough money, she stands out, openly rejecting commercial endorsements, stating that the state's treatment is already excellent, with wages and competition bonuses sufficient for her needs.
Truly practicing what she preaches, she rejects all endorsements without exception. The only two advertisements she has ever done were arranged by the Swimming Center. She remains as pure as clear water, yet this "mysterious girl" can keep secrets better than anyone and knows gratitude more than anyone.
She remembers the coaches who have helped her along the way. In the past, when she couldn't afford it, she heard her coach say his favorite car was a Land Rover, and could only remain silent. Once she had the means to fulfill her promise, she took 1.7 million out of her 2 million prize to buy a car for her coach.
"We all agreed that whoever achieves success first would buy a car for the coach."
Being so remembered is a great fortune in life. The lucky one who met someone who doesn't forget their roots is Jin Wei.
"Love"
Once a good coach, this is something Liu Zige's parents also acknowledge.
"If it weren't for Coach Jin, there would be no Zige today. As parents, we only have the grace of raising her until the age of 9; after that, it's all the coach."
No exaggeration, training Liu Zige, Jin Wei really went all out.
Growing up in a private swimming club, the costs during overseas training were paid for by Jin Wei out of his own pocket, with higher levels of skill requiring more expenditure. In 2004, "joining" the Shanghai team was also thanks to Jin Wei's efforts.
Every drop of kindness is remembered in the heart, but in fact, this kind of "giving everything" is not something everyone can do. In Liu Zige, one truly sees the saying "money is just a number."
Winning the Olympics and receiving a 6 million yuan bonus, which belongs to both Liu Zige and Jin Wei, they thought about renovating the swimming base. Jin Wei gave Liu Zige 2 million first and then spent another 1.7 million on a car, making the kind-hearted girl a role model for young athletes.
The blooming period is too short, gradually, there is willingness but no strength.
"My cervical and lumbar spine, due to years of wear and tear, compresses the nerves, causing me great pain every day, apart from training, I'm undergoing treatment."
As her body starts to struggle, her once confused love life begins to clear up.
The relationship with Jin Wei warms up over time, from mentor and apprentice to husband and wife. The news spread in 2016. For Liu Zige, Jin Wei speaks highly of her: good technique, good character, good mentality, and also feels sorry for this hardworking girl, knowing her physical condition, repeatedly persuading her to retire.
Empathy is mutual. To herself, Liu Zige is a "faint-hearted person," but to Jin Wei, she attends to every detail, usually helping him wash clothes, pack medicine before going away, and even gets along well with the child he had with his ex-wife.
Jin Wei has been married, not just once. The private swimming base Liu Zige entered at the age of 9 was established with all the assets of him and his ex-wife Xi Qiujv. They have a son and a daughter with an age gap but no emotional distance, having lived together for many years, they are the ones who know each other best.
There is nothing wrong with this, but key to it all, Jin Wei made a mistake.
"Mistake"
The rising star Chen Xinyi was once highly regarded, achieving fame in 2013. A coach confidently declared that "China's future 50m and 100m freestyle will be dominated by her."
A very confident statement, and with good reason. Though a newcomer, she was a dark horse, with balanced skills in all four strokes and no obvious weaknesses. Compared to Ye Shiwen at her peak, her sprinting ability is no less impressive.
At the 2015 Kazan World Championships, Chen Xinyi broke the world junior record in the 100m butterfly, with three golds, one silver, and one bronze, enough to defend the title of "multi-gold king."
She wanted to shine at the Rio Olympics, unfortunately, a momentary lapse in judgment, an overwhelming desire for victory, led to a fundamental error, resulting in the loss of her eligibility to compete, and even her coach Jin Wei was punished, no longer allowed into the national team.
Her career was almost ruined, the only comfort left was love.
At the 2016 National Swimming Championships, failing to make an impact was a significant blow to Liu Zige. However, upon hearing that Jin Wei was rushed to the emergency room, she completely forgot about her own physical discomfort and followed him to the hospital, running around tirelessly, a scene that moved everyone around her.
Some find fulfillment, others experience disappointment. The mistake has become a fixed outcome. If you don't want others to know, don't do it in the first place. Put your thoughts in the right place. Everyone wants to be first, but there can only be one first, precisely because it's rare, there's a need to compete. Taking shortcuts will only lead to a worse fall...