At the 2025 Chinese Athletics Championships in early August, Shao, a member of the Hubei province athletics team, successfully cleared 1.90m to defend her title. A video of her performance went viral, garnering over 3 million likes.
Coming from an ordinary family, Shao's passion for high jump began in elementary school when she effortlessly cleared 1m on her first attempt.
However, her journey hasn't been without prejudice. "Back then, many people thought girls pursuing sports were wasting their lives, at best ending up in a sports school," she said.
Fortunately, Shao received unwavering support from her father and constant encouragement from her middle school coach. Beyond athletics, Shao also excelled academically, gaining admission to Tsinghua University, one of China's most prestigious universities, in 2020.
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Shao Yuqi clearing the bar during competition. Photo: Baidu |
Shao Yuqi clearing the bar during competition. Photo: Baidu
With increasing fame, Shao faced criticism ranging from her performance not yet reaching world record levels to her attire and makeup during competitions. Some even suggested she should cut her hair short to avoid hitting the bar.
Shao responded firmly, "This is my body, and I decide how to present myself. On the track, you have to be strong and confident. I want to be both beautiful and give my all in competition—why should I care what others think?"
Shao sees fellow athlete Wu Yanni, a hurdling star who also faced criticism for wearing bold makeup during competitions, as a role model. "I'm a national champion, and Wu Yanni is Asia's number one. We are both strong and beautiful," she emphasized.
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Shao Yuqi competing in an athletics event. Photo: Baidu |
Shao Yuqi competing in an athletics event. Photo: Baidu
Her statement resonated with many online. One commenter wrote, "Beauty doesn't need to be hidden, and strength doesn't need to be compromised. When sports celebrates both achievement and diversity in self-expression, that's true value."
Hong Duy (South China Morning Post)
