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GROWING UP AT FULL SPEED

At just 11, a rider from Changchun, fueled by determination, is proving that age is no barrier to chasing big dreams

China Daily | Updated: 2026-06-27 00:00
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Liu removes the tire warmer from her motorcycle before training. ZHANG NAN/XINHUA

Amid the roar of engines, 11-year-old Liu Xinrui — known as Changchun's "Little Sister Prodigy" — rides her racing motorcycle onto the track. Since taking up competitive youth motorcycle racing a year ago, she has embraced every challenge with courage and determination, pursuing her dream at full speed.

On the track, Liu is focused and composed. She crouches low over the bike, gripping the handlebars firmly. As she leans sharply into a corner at high speed, her knee skims just above the ground. Adjusting her posture and line through the turn, she powers out of the curve and accelerates down the straight. After several laps, Liu removes her helmet, her youthful face glowing with confidence, and says with a grin, "One more round!"

Her passion for motorcycles began with her father, a longtime riding enthusiast. When she first started training, managing the speed was her greatest challenge. Over time, through countless hours of practice and the constant roar of the engine, she developed strong riding skills. Today, the motorcycle has become her "best friend".

This year, Liu achieved an impressive sixth place in a national motorcycle track race. When the news reached her school, she quickly became the coolest racer among her classmates. "My idol is Zhang Xue. Zhang's motorcycle has shown the world Chinese speed. I want to keep pushing myself and achieve even better results," she says.

Liu puts on her racing suit. ZHANG NAN/XINHUA
Liu's mother, Liu Lu (right), helps fix her hair. ZHANG NAN/XINHUA
Liu Xinrui poses for a photo at her club's track in Changchun, Jilin province, on May 26. ZHANG NAN/XINHUA
The young racer rides on the track. ZHANG NAN/XINHUA
Club coach Zhang Yu (left) reminds Liu to focus on riding technique. ZHANG NAN/XINHUA
Completing her homework before training. ZHANG NAN/XINHUA
Liu poses with her parents in Guangzhou in a 2025 file photo. ZHANG NAN/XINHUA

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