Paris Olympics fans go wild as Chinese star Luo Shifang SLEEPS her way to a gold medal
- Debuting Olympian broke three records en route to gold
- Had a very different way of preparing for each lift
- Some say she invented a new Olympic sport
Keeping calm and not wasting energy are important parts of the life of an Olympic champion, but Chinese athlete Luo Shifang took that to the extreme in Paris.
The weightlifter broke three Olympic records and won gold in the women’s 59kg weightlifting event, making history with her 134kg clean and jerk, 107kg snatch and 241kg total.
But it was her behavior between the elevators that got fans talking.
When Shifang weighed in at the South Paris Arena, she had the wild eyes of a tiger and the tense body of an Olympic champion.
But while she patiently waited her turn, Shifang grabbed a pink blanket and pillow and enjoyed a nap until she had to get back to work.
Chinese weightlifter Luo Shifang appeared to call for silence on his way to breaking three Olympic records in Paris
The Chinese star appeared to take a nap between lifts as she took home gold – and she even had a blanket and pillow with her
“I finally found my Olympic sport,” one Reddit user posted alongside the photo of the Chinese athlete taking a nap.
“Imagine what you would have to do to pass the trials to represent your country in this dormant event. I think teenagers might fit the criteria,” suggested another.
“I bet someone starts competing now and wakes up in 2028 and wins both Olympics in one go,” posted another.
Luo, making her Olympic debut in Paris, showed a steely intensity, nailing every lift except one as she silently gestured to the crowd cheering her on.
“This is my first Olympics and my team has been very good to me. They have given me a very good environment and I didn’t feel too much pressure,” Luo said.
Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh also took a relaxed approach during the high jump final
Shifang is not the only Olympic athlete who has amazed the public in Paris with her calm demeanor.
Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh brought a sleeping bag with her to Stade de France, where she rested between jumps, much to the amusement of spectators.
“I feel comfortable lying down and sometimes I can look at the clouds,” Mahuchikh said after winning gold.
‘Sometimes I can count numbers, 1,2,3,4, or breathe in, breathe out. It’s like I’m relaxing, [and] don’t think that i’m there [the] stadium.’