Alongside her success on the track, Wu Yanni frequently faces criticism and questions regarding her bold makeup choices during competitions, as well as rumors about plastic surgery.

"I feel beautiful when I wear makeup. I enjoy experimenting with different styles and looks. When people say I've had plastic surgery, I actually take it as a compliment," Wu said in an interview with Yitiao on 11/8. "It just proves that I'm very pretty, right? That's why they say I've had plastic surgery. Agree? Nod!".

Wu Yanni is considered one of the most beautiful athletes in Chinese track and field. Photo: Handout

Wu revealed that her independent spirit and inner strength were instilled by her grandfather, who taught her to "love herself and achieve what she wants through effort." Her mother suffered severe postpartum hemorrhage, and it was her grandfather who began caring for her just three days after she was born.

In addition to her appearance, Wu's pre-race ritual of pointing to the sky has also drawn scrutiny, with some mockingly referring to her as a "sky-pointing witch." The Chinese athlete explained, "Actually, it's a connection between me and my grandfather. I point to the sky hoping he will bless me to compete well."

The 28-year-old athlete also sent a powerful message empowering young women, encouraging them to value themselves and define their own standards of beauty. "That's why I want to tell every girl, don't pay attention to what others say. Do what makes you feel beautiful," she emphasized.

Wu's strong statements have sparked heated debate and divided public opinion. One supporter wrote, "I hope my daughter can be as strong as Wu Yanni!" Another commented, "This girl performs well, her plastic surgery looks good, and she has a vibrant personality. So what if she makes a few hand gestures during competition?".

However, there were also opposing views: "When people say she's had plastic surgery, it's not a compliment. They're pointing out how much her appearance has changed since she started competing."

Wu Yanni at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. Photo: Instagram / wuyanni_jennie

Wu is currently China's top female hurdler. She holds the national record in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.01 seconds, set at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing in 3/2025. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Wu ran the 100m hurdles in 12.97 seconds, the best time ever achieved by a Chinese athlete in this event at an Olympic Games.

On 4/8, Wu further solidified her top national ranking by winning the gold medal in the 100m hurdles at the Chinese Athletics Championships, held in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province. Previously, Yanni won the 100m hurdles at the national level in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024.

Hong Duy (South China Morning Post)