XI’AN, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) — After a tough debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, pentathlete Luo Shuai of Shanghai shows maturity as he stood on top of the podium with 1461 points at China’s 14th National Games held in Shaanxi Province.

Leaving Tokyo 2020 in the rearview mirror, Luo’s recent performances at China’s premier multi-sport event indicated he is on his way to manifesting his true potential.

“After the Tokyo Olympic Games, I became more mature,” Luo said. “So when it comes to the National Games, I can relax well.”

“What I have been through in the past two months is a precious treasure for me. You know, I had a lackluster debut at the Olympic stage, but I adjusted myself and overcame the psychological problems to win the gold in the National Games, despite a poor stamina condition after the quarantine,” he added.

Dating back to the days in Tokyo, the result in equestrian didn’t live up to Luo’s expectations, as he eventually ranked 21st among all the athletes.

Even having made some small mistakes at the National Games, the experience in Tokyo has helped Luo maintain a peaceful state of mind to calm down.

“I didn’t do well in Tokyo and it damaged my confidence,” Luo said. “But as I prepare for the National Games, I adapted myself and improved the equestrian skills, the victory in this campaign is a boost for me.”

Coach Cao Zhirong, who took the silver in London Olympics, didn’t attribute Luo’s failure in Tokyo to his skills but mentality.

“He paid too much attention to the result and can’t go back, so we sought to revive him by making him believe his skills,” Cao said.

To the 24-year-old, the hard-won gold medal is an affirmation and encouragement for the efforts he has paid in the past years.

Actually, Luo’s started his sporting career in rowing in 2006. But accidentally, the young boy was charmed by the “cool” sport, which includes fencing and equestrian, when his first coach Qian Yinghao took him to visit the Shanghai modern pentathlon team.

During the Rio Olympic cycle, Luo made it to the national team as a ladder player for Cao.

In Cao’s opinion, the experience of a ladder player had laid solid foundations for Luo’s future.

“Preparing for the elite events such as Olympic Games as a ladder player, the experience let him know how the national team prepares and grow up,” Cao said.

After being called up to the national team as a player in 2017, Luo proved himself by taking a bronze medal in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.

“Modern pentathlon is a comprehensive event which needs time and competitions to gain experience,” Luo summarized.

Luo’s triumph at the National Games is also a motivation for his teammates.

“For modern pentathlon, Shanghai is in a leading position, especially in men’s area, we are confident of our future,” said Shanghai’s team leader Sun Dong.