Chen Yujie celebrates her 100m gold. [Photo/IC]

Ningbo's 16-year-old sprint sensation Chen Yujie claimed the women's 100 meters gold at the 15th National Games in Guangdong on Nov 17, setting a new Asian U20 record of 11.10 seconds and becoming the youngest female sprinter to win at the Games.

Chen took the lead from the start, thrilling the crowd in one of the evening's most anticipated events. Earlier in the semifinals, she ran 11.33 seconds, topping the field and securing her spot in the final ahead of seasoned competitors like Ge Manqi from Fujian province.

Born in 2008, Chen is known for her disciplined training and relentless work ethic, saying, "If you want to improve, you have to work harder than anyone else." Even when sidelined by minor injuries, she continues to train, focusing on arm swing and strength exercises. Her daily routine includes hundreds of arm drills and intense speed and endurance sessions, often pushing herself to the point of exhaustion.

Chen has already made a name for herself on the international stage. In 2024, she won the 100m at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Dubai with a time of 11.32 seconds, breaking the championship record, her own national youth record, and the U18 Asian youth record. That June, she claimed the 100m title at the Chinese National Championships in 11.29 seconds, setting a new personal best and an Asian under-18 record.

With a combination of talent, rigorous training, and determination, Chen is rapidly emerging as one of China's most promising young sprinters.