Li Zhikai shed tears when he finished fifth in pommel horse at the Asian Games. He woke up after his dream was broken.

Li Zhikai. (File photo, taken by special correspondent Chen Zhiqu)

[Reporter Wu Mengru/Comprehensive Report] Taiwan's "Pommel Horse Prince" Li Zhikai, who is striving for three consecutive championships, scored 14.333 points in the men's pommel horse final of the Nagoya Asian Games competitive gymnastics yesterday, ranking 5th. When he saw the results, he walked back to the waiting area with his hands on his head in despair. When interviewed after the game At one point, he was sad and wiped away tears, admitting that he didn't know what to do in the future. After a night of settling down, he also posted on social media, "My dream was broken, and I woke up." At the same time, he also encouraged himself, "There are no eternal winners in the arena, only fighters who don't give up, dust themselves off and stand up again."

Li Zhikai won the pommel horse event for two consecutive years at the Hangzhou Asian Games. However, after the Paris Olympics, the World Gymnastics Federation changed the scoring standards. A set of movements can only have a maximum of four Thomas pirouettes, and the rest must use leg pirouettes or choreograph new action combinations. This has become the biggest hurdle that has stuck him in the past two years. Yesterday, he also made a small mistake in raising his leg and leg pirouette less than 180 degrees in the finals. His execution score was only 8.633 points, and he missed the podium.

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When interviewed, Li Zhikai choked up and said, "I have put in a lot of effort in the past two years, and my coach and family have seen it. This time I have set a goal of at least standing on the podium, but the scores have been stuck here." As for future plans, he can't give an answer for the moment. He will first prepare for the World Gymnastics Championships next month. However, if the scoring method does not change, he is not sure whether he will compete again.

However, after a night of settling down, Li Zhikai posted on social media, "My dream was shattered and I woke up. But thank you for allowing me to still see the light when I was at a low point. Thank you for your blessings, support and encouragement. I have seen every message, and I have heard the shouts from the sidelines and in front of the screen. Frankly speaking, it is because of your unconditional support that I have been able to keep going here. It is a pity that I could not win this game well and beautifully, and I could not write the most perfect ending."

"The dream was shattered, but it also awakened me from my demands on myself." Li Zhikai said: "There are no eternal winners in the arena, only fighters who never give up. Competitive sports are so cruel, and the pain is very real, but it is also the reason why I love this sport so much. Although my dream has been frustrated, the schedule is not over yet. There are still games today. Pick up your mood, dust yourself off and stand up again. We invite everyone to continue to cheer for us."