Cheng Fei's name is a legend in the world of Chinese gymnastics, closely associated with the challenging "Cheng Fei Jump," which has become a symbol of Chinese gymnastics. Surprisingly, this little giant who once displayed astonishing explosive power on the balance beam and vault has undergone a dramatic transformation after retirement, akin to a metamorphosis. When she reappeared in the public eye, it was hard to recognize her, leaving many wondering what she had experienced during that time and how she is doing now.
Cheng Fei's Career
Despite her small stature, Cheng Fei possessed immense energy. As a core member of the Chinese women's gymnastics team, she achieved remarkable success in the vault event, winning three consecutive championships, etching her name into the annals of Chinese gymnastics. Not only was she a technical expert, but she also inspired her teammates with her tenacity and determination, urging them not to give up and to fight together for national honor.
However, competitive sports can be brutal, capable of both creating heroes and shattering dreams. Just before the 2012 London Olympics, Cheng Fei was in the critical stage of preparation, eager to prove herself on the Olympic stage and bring glory to her country. But then, during a routine training session, an accident occurred. A misstep caused Cheng Fei to fall heavily to the ground, leaving her immobile from the intense pain. The scene was tense as coaches and teammates anxiously watched over her. Soon, the team doctor arrived and confirmed that Cheng Fei had suffered a severe Achilles tendon injury, effectively dashing her Olympic dreams.
Faced with this unexpected blow, Cheng Fei's heart filled with unwillingness and despair. She could not accept the reality and was even more reluctant to give up the opportunity to compete for her country. After all, she had repeatedly expressed her desire to return to the arena after recovering from her injuries, longing to don the uniform once again and compete for national glory. However, with only a month left until the London Olympics, it would be difficult for Cheng Fei's injuries to heal sufficiently, and even if they did, there was no guarantee she would meet the competition standards.
The team doctor, concerned for Cheng Fei's future, strongly advised against forced training, warning that it could worsen her injuries and potentially lead to permanent disability. Ultimately, under the persuasion of her coach, teammates, and family, Cheng Fei made the difficult decision to retire. This decision meant bidding farewell to the beloved arena and the dream of bringing glory to the nation, yet it was a choice she had to make in the face of reality.
As time passed and the London Olympics commenced, Cheng Fei sat at home, watching her teammates on television and silently cheering them on. It's not hard to imagine that at that moment, Cheng Fei's heart was filled with blessings for her teammates, as well as helplessness and regret for her own situation. Her absence weakened the Chinese women's gymnastics team in the vault event, resulting in less than ideal performance at the London Olympics. Watching her teammates struggle on the field, Cheng Fei felt as though her heart was being cut by a knife. Deep down, she longed to fight alongside her teammates for national glory, but this dream could never come true. Cheng Fei's retirement was undoubtedly a significant loss for Chinese gymnastics and left a regret in her career.
Fortunately, Cheng Fei was not defeated by fate. After adjusting her mindset, she chose to contribute to China's gymnastics cause in another way.
Transformation of Identity
After retiring, Cheng Fei did not choose to leave the gymnastics field she loved. Instead, she decided to join Wuhan Sports University, transitioning from an athlete to a coach. However, this change in identity posed a new challenge for Cheng Fei. As an athlete, she was the focus of attention on the field, enjoying flowers and applause. As a coach, she needed to stand behind the scenes, guiding students and imparting her experience and skills to the next generation.
Cheng Fei was well aware that top athletes do not necessarily make outstanding coaches. Nevertheless, to help her students to the best of her ability and adapt to her new role as a coach, she humbly learned and improved her teaching skills. She integrated her years of rigorous training and understanding of gymnastics into her teaching, patiently and meticulously instructing each student. She knew that cultivating an excellent gymnast requires tremendous effort and patience.
Over time, Cheng Fei discovered a new interest at Wuhan Sports University. She realized that contributing to the nation's glory is not limited to competing on the field; nurturing gymnastics talent is also a contribution to the country. She began to focus on younger generations, searching for promising gymnasts in children's interest classes, hoping to cultivate more outstanding gymnasts to lay the foundation for the future development of Chinese gymnastics. Gradually, Cheng Fei fell in love with this new job. She meticulously planned training content every day, dedicating all her energy to her students. She not only taught them gymnastics techniques but also cultivated their willpower and team spirit. Cheng Fei hoped that the students she trained would not only excel in gymnastics but also become contributors to society in the future.
Changes After Retirement
Since retiring, Cheng Fei's life has changed significantly. With the cessation of high-intensity training, she no longer strictly controlled her diet as before. Moreover, due to medication required during her recovery from injuries, her weight uncontrollably increased. The once slender "gymnastics fairy" gradually became plump, which unexpectedly sparked discussions among some people, with some making unkind remarks.
However, Cheng Fei did not take these words to heart. Now retired, she preferred to be true to herself rather than satisfy others' expectations. Cheng Fei believed that a person's value cannot be determined solely by appearance; what matters most is inner strength and passion for life. She focused more on her coaching work, dedicated to fostering outstanding gymnasts, which she valued most.
Through her actions, Cheng Fei conveyed the message that a person's true worth lies not in their looks but in their inner resilience and love for life. Although she is no longer the champion shining on the field, she continues to live her life to the fullest, contributing to China's gymnastics cause in another way.
Parents' Expectations
As Cheng Fei grew older, her parents began to worry about her personal life, hoping that their daughter would find a suitable partner, get married, have children, and enjoy a happy family life. Cheng Fei responded calmly to her parents' urging for marriage. She also expressed her desire for love but stated that she would not marry just for the sake of it. She hoped to find someone who understood her and could stand by her side in the battle of life.
In a subsequent interview, Cheng Fei revealed that she admired mature and stable men like Huang Lei, wishing for a partner who could understand and support her work, sharing common interests with her. Cheng Fei's attitude towards love highlighted the independent, self-reliant, confident, and strong demeanor of contemporary women. Unbound by traditional marriage concepts, she insisted on her choices, pursuing true love. She believed that the key to a happy marriage is finding the right person.
Besides coaching, Cheng Fei actively participated in various public welfare activities, using her influence to help those in need.
Cheng Fei often used her spare time to engage in sports-related public welfare activities, inspiring more young people to embrace sports and lead healthy lives. At the same time, she also helped those who needed assistance, doing her best to support them.
Cheng Fei's public welfare actions demonstrated her positive attitude towards life and a sense of social responsibility. Through concrete actions, she embodied the principle that helping others also benefits oneself. She was not only an outstanding athlete and coach but also a very caring public welfare advocate.
Conclusion
Cheng Fei is no longer the "Gymnastics Empress" standing on the podium, receiving cheers from thousands. However, she still uses her way to interpret the spirit of sports and spread positive energy. With her actions, she tells us that life can still be colorful after leaving the arena. She always maintains an optimistic outlook on life, is particularly persistent in pursuing her dreams, and possesses a strong sense of social responsibility, which we all admire.
We also wish all athletes to find their own happiness after retirement and continue writing wonderful chapters in their lives.