Adapting to life in the fast lane

Despite her youthful exuberance, Chen exhibits the discipline of a seasoned veteran when navigating a multi-event competition schedule. Managing her physical and mental recovery became a top priority in Nagoya.

"After competition, especially back at the hotel, I would try to bring my excitement levels down as quickly as possible and then focus on preserving my energy," she explained. "You shouldn't get back to the hotel at 10 pm and then stay up until 3 or 4 am. It's best to avoid that."

As a result, her recovery routine is methodical.

"Taking a hot shower, or doing something to relax my muscles, and then going to the cafeteria to grab some food. Eating enough carbs to make myself drowsy usually helps me sleep," she said. "Then I can sleep longer and conserve more energy."

Away from the blinding spotlight of the Asian Games, Chen's life remains grounded in the realities of a typical teenager. As a high school senior, she faces the looming pressure of the national college entrance exam, or gaokao. For Chen, athletic success and academic development must go hand in hand.

"When I get back, since I'm in my final year of high school and the academic pressure is high, I'll probably just focus on catching up on the classes I missed," she said pragmatically. "Since the season is over, I can shift most of my focus onto my studies for now. Then, when the next season starts, I'll gradually shift my focus back to training."

This balanced, grounded nature is heavily nurtured by her parents — both former sprinters themselves, with her father boasting a personal best of 10.80 seconds in the 100m. They understand the immense pressures of the sport and prioritize their daughter's well-being over any medal count.

"Over the past two days, they've mostly just been telling me to make sure I rest well, because the competition schedule was really intense," Chen said.

"Other than that, after every final, they'd just send me a red envelope so I could treat myself, and that was it!"

With three Asiad golds already to her name before her 18th birthday, Chen's athletic journey is only just beginning. Equipped with a remarkably calm mindset, a loving support system and a blistering top speed, the "kid sister" of Chinese athletics is poised to leave an indelible mark on the global track.

tujiayi@chinadaily.com.cn