A Letter to You, My Hero~ Liu Xiang~

Liu Xiang, this name, I only knew during the 2008 Beijing Olympic. That time, he shocked the world with his sudden withdrawal during the first heat in 110m hurdles. Why? An Achilles tendon injury... From that moment, I began knowing this guy, who eventually turned to become my hero~  I didn't know you when you are in your top form. I didn't know you when you won the gold medal in 2004 Athens Olympic. I didn't know you when you break the world record in 2006. All I knew about you those days are just there's this one China guy who can run really fast creating a history proving that Asians can run fast too, proving that the scientific facts stating Asians run slower than 'those who had been dominating the athletics world' wrong.

On the day of 18/08/2008, I was one of those being shocked. I was just a small excited fan who wanted to see you reigning gold again to be the defending champion for the event in Olympics. But I was so sad when I got to know the news that you pulled out of the game. But, that was the beginning point for me to know you better. From then onwards, I began searching for your videos, interviews and etc to watch. It was a heartache to know that you had been carrying the same injuries going through so many competitions, even when you broke the world record. Just that during 2008 Beijing's, luck was not on your side as the injury worsened.

That time, almost the whole nation of China blamed you for pulling out, but slowly you gained back their support when the truth was leaked out. From then, you underwent surgery, treatment, physio therapies and trainings slowly from the start. The whole journey from falling to coming back to the track again, I felt that you're actually accompanying me all the way through. Why? Cos it's you who taught me to stand up again after falling. Honestly, you gave me too much inspirations. From your interviews and videos, there's too much to learn. The difference is just that your field is on the track, while mine is in education. Honestly speaking, I was always being in the top 3 while I was in the primary school. But once I entered secondary, I was always at number 4. I nearly gave up, thinking that that's my limit, I can't go further more than that. But it's you who appeared in my life at the rightest timing.

Because of you, I learnt so many quotes and inspirational words. I noted them, wrote them nicely and placed them under my table all the way from Form 4 till Form 5. So, everytime when I looked at them, they boosted my spirit to study well again as I've set you as my role model. And yes, thanks to your inspiration, I managed to do better again and I managed to be in the top three again. Happily to say, almost everytime, I managed to get first except a few times =)  A BIG thanks to u ^^ How I manage to do this? Because you're there too, undergoing the process of healing, and training back to your top form which was a hard task after the surgery. And to me, I took it as we were undergoing ups and downs together. That's one of the ways I motivated myself. From the day u fell in 2008 to the day you equal back the world record this year, I'm really so proud of you to have you as my inspiration!

But today's happening, I really can't take it at my first sight. I can't believe my eyes and accept it. I don't believe you fall down for no reason cos your skills are perfect. You never did such mistake before. I kept saying there must be a reason and ya, bingo! Your leg was in pain. I found out through a news, and to fight till the very end, you even injected yourself with something to resist pain. Goodness... The sight of seeing u limping with one leg to finish the race is totally touching. Though you did not win, but you still want to finish the race without regrets. Then you approached the last hurdle on your lane and gave it a kiss. Did u mean anything with that action? Bidding farewell with your hurdles career soon? NOoooo... But watching you doing that, I gave you my deepest and highest salutations and tributes. So, it doesn't mean anything although you did not enter the finals as you had fought till the very end =)

What I hope now is the 13 billions people will not blame you or be angry at you. Cos you deserve respectations more than anything else! They should be proud of you! I'll continue to follow your footsteps. I'll not give up easily. I'll always stand up again after falling down. I'll always try my very best to the very end in doing anything. You seems to be bidding goodbye to ur journey already by kissing the last hurdle... But I'll continue the rest of the journey on your behalf.. With ur spirits on~ But in my own field of education ^^ For the moment now, I really wish that I can give you a tight hug, telling you, it's ok and keep moving on! I'll remember every inspirational words that u told before. Jia you! Let's keep fighting together ^^

隐藏实力，用成绩说话！

刘翔， 你永远都是我的英雄！

祝福你！