Athletes at the World Championships use four words to explain their feelings about competing: Amazing, Together, Journey, Incredible

China News Service, Shanghai, September 26 (Fei Yichen) If you were asked to use one word to describe the WorldSkills Competition (referred to as "World Skills Competition"), which word would you choose?

At the 48th World Skills Competition being held in Shanghai, four contestants gave different answers. They used these four words to spell out the "other side" of the World Competition outside the competition field.

"Amazing": a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

When Belgian hairdressing contestant Anouk Willems heard this question, her first reaction was: "This is a difficult question."

She thought about it carefully and finally gave the answer "Amazing".

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she said, "and it will be a great experience for the rest of my life and career."

Williams began to be exposed to hairdressing at the age of 14. Initially, he also studied cosmetology at the same time, and only specialized in hairdressing when he was 16 years old. She likes the hairdressing industry because "it's more creative, you can use your hands to make things, and you can play with colors."

When asked if she had ever thought about giving up, she answered simply: "Of course I have, but I love what I am doing, so I will never give up."

During the competition, she will be completely immersed in her own state and will not think about the people around her. Although there is sometimes pressure, she needs the stimulation brought by adrenaline to perform at a good level. "This doesn't work for some people, but it works for me."

Williams' answer just confirms that because you can only compete once in a lifetime, this opportunity is extremely precious to every player.

“Together”: World Championship is more like a family

At the same time, another player saw the connection between all the players on the field.

Elja Saraluoto, a Finnish fashion technology contestant, thought for a moment and said "Together" with a smile.

“Because we are in the same situation,” he explains, “even if we face difficulties or want to give up, we will persevere together, every competitor in this world skills competition together.”

For him, participating in the World Championships is more like entering a big family, rather than just competing against other players.

“Journey”: a highway with ups and downs

Others sketched a vivid timeline in one word.

"This is a long, long highway with ups and downs." Hungarian player Mátyás Törgyekes' answer was full of pictures.

The baking contestant said: "You have to make sure you do your best during the competition... It's a journey, a beautiful and full of experiences."

Torjax started learning baking at the age of 14, and it has been nearly 7 years now. His love for baking is very straightforward: "I love my stomach very much." He added, "I also love baking. I like to make various things with my hands. I hope to bring happiness to everyone through my products."

It is easy to bake basic things, but it is difficult to be professional. He mentioned that he sometimes encountered difficulties in this competition, but he felt that he handled it well.

In his opinion, baking is not as simple as many people imagine. Some people think that baking is just "mixing flour, yeast and water and that's it." He said seriously, "It's much more than that. There are microorganisms in it. You have to understand it before you can do it."

"Incredible": Life changes 180 degrees

For many players, this participation can even be called "life-changing".

Polish heavy vehicle maintenance competitor Dawid Manuszak chose the word "Incredible".

The reasons he gave were specific: “The scale and number of skills projects, the number of people involved and the complexity of the tasks is truly mind-boggling.”

His father was engaged in this industry, so he started to be exposed to it since he was a child, and later fell in love with this industry. Standing at the Shanghai World Championships, he smiled and said: "I followed my father in the beginning, and then I came here."

He had never thought that he would be able to stand on the World Championships. "This only existed in my imagination before... This was my dream, and now I am here."

In the past few months preparing for the World Championships, he felt that his life had undergone a 180-degree change. He also half-jokingly said that he would go home to "rest for a few years" after the competition.

Four different words spell out a vivid picture of the World Championships. These young people use their own hands to write their own stories on the world stage. (over)