Leveling Up With My Pet

Chapter 221 Gold, Records, Glory

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The men's 100-meter semifinals commenced with a palpable sense of anticipation. The first group of eight exceptional athletes lined up on the track, among them Chen Hu, who included the renowned Coleman from M country and Brandt, a talented Jamaican player. The atmosphere crackled with competitive energy as the athletes prepared for the intense semifinal race.

Coleman positioned himself on his designated runway, glancing at the neighbouring Chen Hu. In the previous day's preliminaries, Coleman had clocked an impressive time of 9.75 seconds, a mere 0.01 seconds faster than Chen Hu. While he couldn't help but harbour some reservations, Coleman suspected that Chen Hu might also possess hidden reserves of strength.

[ " How fast can you run? " ] Coleman pondered silently, a hint of competitiveness flickering in his eyes. [ " I must surpass you. With me here, you won't claim the championship. " ]

Time seemed to stretch as anticipation built. After a brief moment, the resonant English voice of [ " Everyone on your mark " ] reverberated through the stadium, signalling the imminent start of the race. The tension heightened as the runners braced themselves.

[ " Ready! " ]

The loud sound of the starter pistol pierced the air, setting off a burst of explosive energy. The eight competitors surged forward, their bodies blurted with determination and speed. Coleman, keenly aware that everyone seemed to launch their sprint simultaneously, understood that Chen Hu held a slight edge in swiftness.

In the initial 20 meters, the sprinters appeared neck and neck, their efforts seemingly synchronized. However, as the race progressed beyond the 30-meter mark, gaps began to emerge, separating the frontrunners from the rest of the pack.

At the forefront, Chen Hu, Coleman, and Lambert surged ahead, with Chen Hu leading the charge by roughly half a body length. By reaching the 40-meter mark, Chen Hu had widened the gap even further, leaving Coleman and Lambert desperately chasing him down. 

The atmosphere in the stadium got a fever pitch as the audience roared with excitement.

Sitting in the stands, Liu Yong and his companions were immersed in the electrifying atmosphere. The live experience surpassed the thrill of watching the event unfold on television. Their voices merged with the crowd's as they, too, marvelled at the astonishing display of speed.

[ " Oh God, he's incredibly fast! " ]

[ " What's happened to Coleman today? He's being outpaced by a competitor from Yan country. " ]

[ " Look! The athlete from Yan Guo crossed the finish line first, with a significant lead. " ]

When Chen Hu triumphantly crossed the finish line, the stadium erupted in a loud uproar akin to a tidal wave. The crowd's roar reverberated through every corner as if they were witnessing the culmination of the men's 100-meter final rather than the semifinal.

9 seconds 62—the clock stopped at this beautiful time, signifying Chen Hu's exceptional performance. Coleman's 9.71 seconds fell short of breaking the 9.7-second barrier.

The CCTV reporter, gripping the microphone with palpable excitement, faced the camera and exclaimed, [ " Ladies and gentlemen, this is CCTV reporting live from the IAAF Diamond League Osaka station, where Chinese sprinter Chen Hu has just clocked an astonishing time of 9.62 seconds in the men's 100-meter semifinal... " ]

The men's 100-meter sprint event has always captivated the attention of sports enthusiasts. Chen Hu's remarkable speed display brought immense pride to the Chinese contingent, propelling him from relative obscurity to newfound fame.

Coleman, wearing a dejected expression, cast several glances in Chen Hu's direction. His mind churned with thoughts of surpassing a runner who had achieved such an exceptional time. Doubts crept in, prompting him to question whether his own abilities could ever match the prowess displayed by Chen Hu.

Amidst the morning's 100-meter semifinals, the preliminary rounds for the 200-meter event also took place. Athletes who excelled in the 100-meter sprint were commonly believed to fare well in the 200-meter race.

As expected, Chen Hu dominated the 200-meter preliminaries again, claiming first place. Spectators marvelled at his seemingly godlike speed, contemplating whether the era of sprinting dominance, traditionally divided between whites and blacks, might now belong to Chen Hu.

The eagerly anticipated men's 100-meter final was scheduled for the afternoon. Liu Yong and his companions settled back into their seats, their interest piqued as they observed Chen Hu and the other finalists prepare and warm up for the grand event.

Moments later, the eight finalists lined up on the runway, signalling the commencement of the highly anticipated men's 100-meter final. The previously lively atmosphere gradually hushed, enveloping the stadium and the audience.

A collective breath was held as all eyes fixated on the eight sprinters positioned on the 100-meter runway. Cameras focused intently on the starting line, capturing the intensity of the upcoming race.

The voice resounded through the stadium, a gentle yet authoritative call to action. "Everyone on your mark." The eight competitors readied themselves, poised for the defining moment.

["Boom!"]

As the starting pistol shattered the air, the runners exploded into motion, resembling arrows shot from taut bows. To the untrained eye, their initial speeds seemed virtually identical, but the keen eyes of professionals discerned that Chen Hu initiated the race with the slightest advantage.

The first 20 meters witnessed a tightly contested battle, with all eight athletes maintaining an almost synchronized stride, indistinguishable. However, as they approached the 20-meter mark, subtle disparities in speed began to emerge. Chen Hu surged ahead, closely pursued by Coleman and Brandt.

In that instant, a thunderous roar erupted from the spectators, reverberating throughout the auditorium. Whether their cheers were directed at Chen Hu or the valiant efforts of Coleman and Brandt remained uncertain. 

Nonetheless, the collaborative atmosphere teemed with fervour, befitting the climax of the men's 100-meter final.

By the 50-meter mark, Chen Hu's commanding lead became undeniable, triggering a wave of astonishment and exclamations.

[ " Goodness gracious! It's that athlete from Yanguo surging ahead once more. " ]

[ " It's beyond belief! " ]

[ " Will he deliver a miracle? " ]

Almost every eye fixated on Chen Hu, afraid to miss the awe-inspiring moment when he would triumphantly cross the finish line.

Chen Hu's lead grew insurmountable, leaving Coleman and Brandt to chase desperately but fruitlessly. The distance between them and Chen Hu only widened with each stride.

Ultimately, Chen Hu claimed victory, crossing the finish line in triumph. Coleman and Brandt followed suit, both significantly slower than their exceptional competitor.

Within moments, the results were announced—an unprecedented 9 seconds 55! Chen Hu had shattered Brandt's longstanding world record of 9.58 seconds, sending shockwaves through the track and field community. 

Spontaneously, many members of the audience rose to their feet, applauding with unbridled enthusiasm. They bore witness to the birth of a new world record.

In that moment, nationality and race dissolved into insignificance. White, black, or yellow, all present, held nothing but respect and admiration for the indomitable spirit of the triumphant. The referee team thoroughly reviewed the race footage, discussing and verifying the validity of the record-breaking results.

A new world record was born—9 seconds 55!

In the auditorium, Liu Yong and his companions rejoiced over Chen Hu's achievement. Simultaneously, they acknowledged that Chen Hu had deliberately withheld his full potential, recognizing that had he unleashed his full strength, a remarkable time of 9.40 seconds was well within his reach. However, such a result would be too astounding, likely causing a global sensation. 9 seconds 55 seemed more manageable by comparison.

The day's events continued with the 200-meter and 400-meter semifinals and finals. Over three days, Chen Hu triumphed in all three events—men's 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters—securing three gold medals and breaking three world records.

Chen Hu's exceptional performance brought great pride to the Yanguo track and field team in the Diamond League. Every member of the group revelled in the glory of their accomplishments. Coach Jiang Xiang, in particular, beamed with joy, resembling a contented Buddha.

With the conclusion of the events, Chen Hu finally had the opportunity to relax. He took the initiative to visit the hotel where Liu Yong and his companions stayed, ensuring he followed protocol until the competition ended. Now that he had secured three gold medals, he could request leave more quickly.

["Liu Yong, thank you!"] Chen Hu expressed his gratitude as he received Liu Yong's congratulations.

Modestly, Liu Yong deflected the praise. [ " No, it is you who deserves all the credit. Come, let us celebrate over dinner. " ]

(to be continued...)