Chapter 152: The 110-Meter Hurdles
Throughout the first ten days of April, Rousseau scoured the country in search of various competitions. The wave he had stirred was gradually spreading domestically, yet it had not brought about a transformative change in his fame. Even though his photo with Bauer went viral across the national internet, Rousseau still lacked the international awards and achievements necessary to truly prove himself.
At present, the spotlight of the domestic sports world remained fixed on Liu Yu, the Olympic champion in the 110-meter hurdles. News reports focused on which endorsements Liu had signed, what events he participated in, and what results he achieved. In the first half of 2005, Liu Yu lived entirely in the glare of the spotlight. After all, he was the mainland’s first genuinely international sports superstar—a figure the public had long awaited.
Every time Lu Jinrong read news about Liu Yu, he felt a pang of unease. This was hardly a good thing. The hopes placed upon Liu Yu were overwhelming, almost deifying him. But no athlete wins without setbacks. Should Liu Yu falter, it was easy to imagine how today’s sweet praise might turn into tomorrow’s harsh criticism. It was a cautionary lesson.
So Lu Jinrong took the newspapers to discuss with Guan Zhaoyue. From then on, Guan’s articles about Rousseau became markedly more objective and fair.
...
On April 6th, Rousseau traveled to Hong Kong to participate in the Hong Kong Athletics Invitational. This competition was not part of the 2005 IAAF official calendar and primarily invited domestic athletes. There, Rousseau encountered some old friends, including Liu Yu, Pan Kai, Zhang Zhen, and Xiao Qiang.
Rousseau’s current attributes for ‘Strength’ and ‘Agility’ had both reached the maximum state of 49/49. Since this competition had no indoor events, Rousseau faced off against Pan Kai and Zhang Zhen in the 100-meter dash.
From the starting gun, Rousseau surged ahead. He had taken a liking to mimicking Bauer’s explosive start technique. At the outset, he unleashed tremendous, explosive power to surpass his rivals immediately. Though he would tire in the latter half, the sensation of such a run was exhilarating.
Coach Dong Zijian, leading the national team preparing for the World Championships, was also at the event. The team needed competitions to stimulate the athletes’ conditions. Seeing Rousseau’s new running style — so similar to the world’s top sprinter — Dong frowned deeply.
The race took place in Hong Kong’s famous Red Pavilion. Though the venue was not at full capacity, several thousand spectators watched. When Rousseau took a commanding lead in the 100 meters, the crowd could not help but cheer loudly for him.
Rousseau’s invincibility in the first fifty meters was exchanged for fatigue in the final thirty. Though Pan Kai and Zhang Zhen pressed hard, they could not prevent Rousseau from claiming the championship.
He finished in 10.09 seconds—Rousseau’s first time breaking the 10.10-second barrier in a domestic race. Pan Kai clocked 10.13, Zhang Zhen 10.20, Tian Shiwei 10.26, while the others all lagged beyond 10.30.
It was an ordinary contest. Neither the Hong Kong nor domestic media gave it extensive coverage. Even the Pengcheng Daily only ran a brief news update; after all, the people of Pengcheng had grown accustomed to Rousseau’s victories and needed more sensational news to stir their excitement.
...
In the 200-meter event, Rousseau faced Pan Kai and Xiao Qiang. With no 400-meter race, Xiao Qiang, whose specialty was mediocre at best, fell far behind Rousseau and Pan Kai. Rousseau won with a time of 20.10 seconds—a new breakthrough in the 200 meters.
Though he broke the Hong Kong Open records in both the 100 and 200 meters, Rousseau did not gain any ‘skills’—only attribute points. It seemed the status bar no longer recognized his dominance in competitions of this level as meaningful records.
...
Next, Rousseau entered the 110-meter hurdles. Liu Yu, also competing, was astonished upon seeing Rousseau.
During a break, they chatted.
“You’re running the 110 hurdles too?” Liu Yu asked, surprised.
“If you can run the 4x100 relay, why can’t I run the 110 hurdles?” Rousseau replied.
“There’s a big difference between flat sprints and hurdles,” Liu Yu said.
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid I’ll snatch your championship,” Rousseau teased.
“Ha, I’m not scared. You better watch out for falling,” Liu Yu said.
“Speaking of falling... you’ve been quite popular lately. Feeling the pressure?” Rousseau asked.
Liu Yu laughed. “Are you asking me for advice? I think sooner or later, that pressure will fall on you too.”
“I’m not as famous as you,” Rousseau said.
“I envy you for not being as famous yet,” Liu Yu said. “Enjoy the time before you become well-known.”
“Athletes can’t win without losing,” Rousseau sighed.
“Exactly,” Liu Yu nodded.
...
At the Hong Kong Invitational’s 110-meter hurdles, Liu Yu won first place with a time of 13.01 seconds. Zhu Shengwen from E Province came second at 13.35 seconds, Zhao Yali from Qiong Province third. Rousseau, however, failed to finish. After knocking down six hurdles in a row, he withdrew due to a ‘foot sprain.’
...
“The 110 hurdles really require skill,” Rousseau told Lu Jinrong. “If you don’t adjust your stride between hurdles, you’ll hit every one.”
Lu Jinrong smiled wryly. Rousseau fancied himself a prodigy; he thought he could master the hurdles without proper practice.
But Rousseau was determined—since he was here, he might as well compete.
...
After winning two championships at the Hong Kong Invitational, Rousseau’s ‘Strength’ and ‘Agility’ attributes stood at 49 and 50, respectively.
His next goal was the athletics meet in Budapest on April 13th.
“There’s a 200-meter race in Budapest,” Lu Jinrong asked Rousseau. “Want to give it a try?”
“Yes,” Rousseau replied.
He then began assimilating the two newly acquired attribute points.
The match with Bauer made Rousseau realize that his basic attributes were still far from the world’s pinnacle. Even with ‘Strength’ and ‘Agility’ both at 50, it was still insufficient. Perhaps he needed to break into the 60s or even higher to enter the divine realm of sub-10-second sprints.
...
“Budapest, eh? What a wonderful place,” Zheng Ni said upon learning Rousseau’s next competition location. She urged Juno to come along. “Isn’t ending your virgin days in such a romantic country the most unforgettable memory?”
Juno, still full of all the textbook knowledge she had recently learned, hesitated. “But the competition at the bronze level seems a bit weak. I don’t see any outstanding opponents on the list...”
“You’re hopeless!” Zheng Ni exclaimed in frustration.
...
“I’m going to Budapest too,” Juno texted Rousseau.
“You’re joining the Golden League? Has your form recovered?” Rousseau replied.
“Yeah, I’m almost ready,” Juno said.
...
“Learning?” Rousseau thought that must be a typo.
In the high jump field, Rousseau thought Juno still had competitive potential. Securing a spot in the Golden Grand Prix should be achievable. But to win the championship and claim the 50-kilogram gold prize would require a long, arduous competition journey.
Sometimes, in that process, luck was the most crucial factor.