Chinese BMX Freestyle rider Deng Yawen: Positive competition aids mutual progress
Deng Yawen gave an exclusive interview to Olympics.com where she discussed her progress in the past year, how she handles pressure, and the intense competition within the Chinese BMX freestyle team.
Cycling BMX Freestyle
From athletics to BMX freestyle, Deng Yawen has chosen a path filled with artistry, skill, and passion. With fearless courage and firm belief, she continuously challenges herself and creates brilliance in the arena. Deng's story is not only an inspiring chapter of personal growth but also a reflection of the rise of BMX freestyle in People's Republic of China.
During the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) in Shanghai from 16-19 May, which also served as the first part of the ultimate qualification stage on the road to Paris 2024 for breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing, Deng spoke exclusively to Olympics.com.
As a new event introduced by the International Olympic Committee for the Paris 2024 cycle, the OQS is akin to a rehearsal for the Olympics, and the festive atmosphere along the Huangpu Riverside in Shanghai left a deep impression on Deng Yawen.
"Previously, we used to compete in single events, but now with four events combined, we get to see the performances of athletes from other events and understand their characteristics. The venue this time also features Olympic colours, making us feel like we're adapting to Olympic elements in advance."
Deng also talked about the progress she has made in the past year, how she handles pressure, and the intense competition within the Chinese BMX team.
BMX is everything for Deng
Deng, a girl from an ordinary family in Luzhou, Sichuan, has had a sports career that is both ordinary and extraordinary. From a young age, she showed a strong interest in sports and joined the Luzhou Amateur Athletic School's track and field team at the age of eight, eager to try various disciplines.
However, her sporting journey took a turn during the winter break of 2017.
Faced with two important invitations — one from a provincial javelin coach and another from a BMX coach scouting for potential talents for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics' new BMX freestyle event — her family decided to open a new door for her, choosing the latter.
Although the youngest member of the team, Deng didn't back down. Fascinated and determined, she gradually mastered the basic skills of BMX and started challenging more difficult moves.
Soon enough, BMX had become an indispensable part of her life, occupying almost all her time.
"I don't have any special hobbies," she told us. "Most of my life is taken up by BMX. My friends, coaches, playmates, and even social media are all about BMX. If I have to mention a hobby, it's probably just BMX."
Olympic cycling BMX freestyle schedule for Paris 2024
- As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024. Click here to see the official qualification system for each sport.
Deng Yawen's strong mindset
Sweat builds brilliance, and time witnesses extraordinary transformations. From initially learning through videos to now competing with top riders in the field, the Chinese BMX freestyle team has successfully reached the world's top level through relentless effort.
Since hiring Daniel Dhers, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics BMX freestyle silver medallist from Venezuela, as the head coach in 2023, the Chinese team has improved substantially.
"He is an experienced competitor and a coach who knows how to help athletes improve," said Deng. "He has rich competition experience and can tell us what to do during competitions. His experience, combined with our current conditions, helps us better prepare for the Paris Olympics."
At the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the Chinese women's BMX freestyle team dominated positions two to six, surpassing Tokyo Olympics women's champion Charlotte Worthington of Great Britain.
However, the competition was a rollercoaster for Deng.
Leading in the preliminary rounds with a high-difficulty move, she aimed for the top of the podium in the finals but ended up sixth after a mistake during her "killer move".
In Deng's view, standing on the world's highest stage requires thanking that failure from a year ago.
"Participating in many international competitions has improved my on-site experience and competition mindset. From the World Championships' mistake, I learned not to rush before a competition but to stay calm and complete my routine."
With this mindset, Deng then impressed everyone with her high-difficulty moves at the 2023 UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup in Bazhong, China, scoring an impressive 93.84 points to top the podium.
"The Bazhong World Cup proved this point, so I will be calmer in future competitions. But currently, I have more injuries than last year, so my performance might decline."
Pressure brings motivation
The two-part Olympic Qualification Series is the most crucial test before Paris 2024 for the Chinese BMX team with their three riders — Sun Sibei, Sun Jiaqi, and Deng — competing in the women's event to try and secure two spots for the upcoming Games.
The trio, close in age but with their own distinct styles, first competed in the highly-anticipated first leg in Shanghai, carrying great expectations and pressure as home athletes.
After ranking in the top three in the preliminaries, they then swept the podium with Sun Sibei winning with the highest score of 95.86, while Sun Jiaqi and Deng Yawen took second and third places with 93.68 and 91.50, respectively.
When asked how she handled the pressure, Deng's eyes shone with determination as she smiled and said: "Our sport needs an atmosphere to help us. There will definitely be pressure, but there's a saying that without pressure, there's no motivation. With pressure and so many spectators, you want to show your best and are more motivated to complete the moves. This time, we're backed by the national flag and China."
Deng then went on to summarise her performance, aiming to learn from the experience and seek improvement.
"The original plan was to perform at 80 per cent in the first round and adjust based on the scores of later riders. However, due to some mistakes and route issues in the first round, I was a bit anxious in the second round and made mistakes right at the start. So, the plan wasn't fully executed. I'd give myself a 7 out of 10, missing in mindset, technique, and luck."
Looking ahead to Paris 2024, the Chinese team look to honour their nation
With just than one month to go until the XXXIII Olympiad, Deng remains grounded, focusing on preparing for the Budapest leg of the OQS, taking place from 20-23 June, where all places for the Games in France will be decided.
"The results are good for both me personally and for China," said Deng of the first leg in Shanghai. "We have another event in Budapest. As long as we get a spot in the top six, we can enter the Paris Olympics. For now, my goal is to do well in Budapest, address my weaknesses in training, and learn from this experience."
Given the current rankings, the Chinese team has a good chance of securing two full Olympic spots with the competition among the three top riders reaching fever pitch.
While the competition is fierce, Deng believes that no matter who ultimately qualifies for Paris 2024, the honour will belong to the Chinese team.
"BMX freestyle is an individual sport, so there will be competition. We are teammates but also rivals. However, this doesn't affect our internal unity and mutual support. In training, if one improves, it drives the whole team forward. So, we have a positive competition."
When asked what she would like to do if she qualifies for Paris 2024, Deng's answer was simple: "Maybe just walk around and explore nearby."
Paris 2024 will mark the second appearance of BMX freestyle on the Olympic stage and Deng is happy to see her sport taking centre stage.
"BMX freestyle started as a niche sport with limited public recognition, often seen as an extreme or high-risk activity, but with its inclusion in the Olympics and China's participation, its popularity is growing," said Deng. "More people are willing to accept and learn about BMX, which helps us get better training and competition conditions. It's the best influence for the sport."