https://www.scmp.com/rss/519327/feed The latest news on Wu Yanni, Chinese track and field athlete and Olympian, including competition news and updates. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Lars Hamer Lars Hamer China’s Wu Yanni delivered the country’s best performance in the women’s 100m hurdles at last year’s Olympics, is a two-time national record holder and among the fastest women in Asia. Yet in her home country, she divides opinion like no other. Bold and outspoken, Wu is not afraid to tackle rumours head-on about having plastic surgery, to flaunt her tattoos and to stand on the starting block with bright, sparkling make-up. From breaking decades-old records, trending on social media and lighting... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3332059/national-games-outspoken-chinese-hurdler-wu-yanni-chasing-beauty-well-results?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3332059/national-games-outspoken-chinese-hurdler-wu-yanni-chasing-beauty-well-results?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 08:00:26 +0000 Lars Hamer,Mike Chan Lars Hamer,Mike Chan The National Games bring together the best and brightest from across China for weeks of competition, some of which have been said to be tougher than the Olympics. Whether you agree with that or not, there can be no argument that several of the world’s top sportsmen and women will be battling it out in the pool, on the court and right across the Greater Bay Area for individual and team glory. Jointly co-hosted for the first time by Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong, here is everything you need to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3331993/all-you-need-know-about-national-games-where-some-worlds-best-come-play?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3331993/all-you-need-know-about-national-games-where-some-worlds-best-come-play?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:00:18 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong’s Vera Lui Lai-yiu believes she has nothing left to prove and is under no pressure heading into the National Games in November. The 30-year-old 100m hurdler will be competing in the multi-sport contest for the fourth time in what is undeniably the twilight of her career. And despite and struggling at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Lui told the Post she felt nothing but excitement for what lay ahead. “There’s nothing to prove personally, or to anyone,” said Lui, who last... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3327382/hong-kong-hurdler-lui-says-she-has-nothing-prove-national-games-will-race-without-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3327382/hong-kong-hurdler-lui-says-she-has-nothing-prove-national-games-will-race-without-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:14 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Rising Chinese high jump star, Shao Yuqi, has gone viral for her athletic performance and striking appearance. The athlete has also attracted attention and praise for challenging traditional beauty stereotypes in sport. On August 1, Shao, 23, from the Hubei provincial track and field team based in central China, claimed the women’s high jump title at the 2025 Chinese National Athletics Championships with a leap of 1.90 metres. Following her victory, Shao went viral on mainland social media for... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3323499/top-china-athlete-praised-looks-and-talent-concedes-she-embodies-strength-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3323499/top-china-athlete-praised-looks-and-talent-concedes-she-embodies-strength-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 01:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Chinese track and field star Wu Yanni has sparked a social media discussion on cosmetic procedures by confidently declaring: “I look good; that is why they say I had plastic surgery!” Born in July 1997 in Zigong, Sichuan province in southwestern China, Wu Yanni is a national record holder. She represents the Chinese National Athletics Team, primarily competing in the women’s 100-metre hurdles. Her track record includes delivering China’s best Olympic performance in the women’s 100-metre hurdles... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3320395/do-what-you-think-beautiful-china-hurdler-squashes-hostile-rumours-embraces-fidence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3320395/do-what-you-think-beautiful-china-hurdler-squashes-hostile-rumours-embraces-fidence?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Aug 2025 06:00:09 +0000 Wu Yanni’s failure to reach the final of the women’s 60 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing on Sunday ignited a furious debate on social media. Despite setting a new national record time of 8.01 seconds, the 27-year-old missed out on the final by 0.01 seconds. Her time was the fourth fastest ever run by an Asian woman, but was only good enough for sixth in her semi-final and, while some slammed Wu for not challenging for a medal, others leapt to her defence,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3303600/tearful-wu-yannis-60m-hurdles-failure-world-champs-sparks-furious-social-media-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3303600/tearful-wu-yannis-60m-hurdles-failure-world-champs-sparks-furious-social-media-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:30:08 +0000 Olympic hurdler Wu Yanni has been slammed on Chinese social media for posting images on her Weibo page that users complained were Photoshopped to the point where she was unrecognisable. Wu uploaded 10 black-and-white images of herself to her Weibo account on Sunday. A related hashtag, which said she was following the style of American model and socialite Kendall Jenner, was viewed more than 40 million times. The 27-year-old Olympian divides opinion among Chinese sports fans because of her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3295442/chinese-hurdler-wu-yanni-slammed-social-media-photoshopped-images-weibo-account?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3295442/chinese-hurdler-wu-yanni-slammed-social-media-photoshopped-images-weibo-account?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jan 2025 05:37:14 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara A “regretful” Wu Yanni delivered a withering assessment of her own abilities on Thursday, after crashing out of her Olympic 100 metres hurdles event in Paris. The 27-year-old finished fourth in her repechage race, flunking a second opportunity to reach the semi-finals after a disappointing heat 24 hours earlier. Compatriot Lin Yuwei, who claimed gold at last year’s Asian Games, was also eliminated after placing sixth in her race. And after being knocked out, Wu said she had come to France aiming... https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/athletics/article/3273771/paris-olympics-china-sprinters-too-slow-too-weak-says-wu-after-100m-hurdles-failure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/athletics/article/3273771/paris-olympics-china-sprinters-too-slow-too-weak-says-wu-after-100m-hurdles-failure?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Aug 2024 15:59:07 +0000 This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Download our app to get faster notifications and 14 days of unlimited access. We had an early start in Paris, where four of China’s athletes were trying to add to the country’s medal tally in the marathon race walk mixed relay. Zhang Jun and Yang Jiayu, along with other pairing He Xianghong and Qieyang Shiji, ultimately finished in the middle of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/article/3273550/paris-olympics-day-12-china-foursome-chase-medals-race-walk-golfers-out-early?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/article/3273550/paris-olympics-day-12-china-foursome-chase-medals-race-walk-golfers-out-early?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Aug 2024 08:00:01 +0000 At the 2024 China National Track and Field Championships, local hero Wu Yanni clinched the gold medal in the women’s 100-metre hurdles. Not only did the 27-year-old improve her personal record by 0.02 seconds, she also set an Asian best for the season in this event. On Chinese social media, Wu is one of the most popular and talked-about athletes, not only for her remarkable performances on the track but also her tattoos, race-day make-up and outspoken personality, which often clashes with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/athletics/article/3271010/paris-olympics-hopeful-social-media-star-wu-yanni-tattoos-make-and-fiery-personality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/athletics/article/3271010/paris-olympics-hopeful-social-media-star-wu-yanni-tattoos-make-and-fiery-personality?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Aug 2024 04:00:13 +0000 A notable Chinese commentator’s query about whether female basketball players were wearing make-up during China’s clash with Spain has caused controversy on social media. The incident came a day after similar comments by a Eurosport commentator saw him being stood down for future Games duties. While Spain won the nail-biting basketball contest 90-89 on Sunday, it was comments coming from the commentary booth that ignited a heated online debate. As the camera focused on a Chinese player wearing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3272278/paris-olympics-chinese-commentators-make-question-sparks-outrage-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3272278/paris-olympics-chinese-commentators-make-question-sparks-outrage-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jul 2024 07:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Rising China sports star Xia Sining is attracting a lot of attention for her athletic performance and also her striking looks as the Paris Olympics approach. Dubbed the “prodigy hurdler” and “goddess of beauty”, Xia first rose to fame in March 2019 at just 16, when she won the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2nd National Youth Games in China, setting a national record that remains unbroken. In July last year, she clinched her first national championship in the women’s 100m hurdles at the National... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3270644/meet-chinas-track-goddess-humble-hurdler-xia-sining-keeps-low-profile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3270644/meet-chinas-track-goddess-humble-hurdler-xia-sining-keeps-low-profile?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:00:20 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang When it comes to delivering quirky news, Asia very rarely disappoints. Here, the Post selects some of the most surprising stories to have emerged across the region in recent days. Glamour glitch China’s champion hurdler Wu Yanni often courts controversy with her tattoos, opinions and the fact that she wears makeup while competing. She refuses to accept that athletes should remain “barefaced”, believing everyone has the right to pursue beauty. Sticking to her beliefs on looks and makeup, she did... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3269177/quirky-asia-news-top-china-athlete-makeup-fail-fishy-hospital-visit-spiky-snacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3269177/quirky-asia-news-top-china-athlete-makeup-fail-fishy-hospital-visit-spiky-snacks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jul 2024 02:12:14 +0000 Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Last month, the findings of a survey showed that as many as 80 per cent of Hong Kong secondary students were unsure about their future. The survey, conducted by researchers at Hong Kong Shue Yan... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3262698/inspire-hong-kongs-young-people-dream-just-giving-them-chance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3262698/inspire-hong-kongs-young-people-dream-just-giving-them-chance?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 May 2024 03:30:13 +0000 During the women’s 100m hurdles at the Diamond League meet of 2024, held in Xiamen on China’s southeast coast, on April 20, Chinese star athlete Wu Yanni completed her first outdoor competition of the year with a time of 13.04 seconds. Her performance fell short of expectations – her own and those of her fans. That, and the fact she was wearing glitter and star-shaped makeup during the race, sparked an online backlash. Cosmetics controversy During the competition, Wu was positioned in the first... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3260137/wu-yanni-glamour-girl-china-champion-hurdler-tattoos-make-and-attitude-set-shine-paris-olympics-2024?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3260137/wu-yanni-glamour-girl-china-champion-hurdler-tattoos-make-and-attitude-set-shine-paris-olympics-2024?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 May 2024 10:00:21 +0000 China has been accused of censoring a picture of two of its Asian Games athletes embracing on the athletics track when the numbers on their uniforms inadvertently matched the dates of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. But the picture in question, which is published below, was taken by state media and was not scrubbed from the internet as some netizens, and overseas media, claimed. The incident at the end of the women’s 100 metres hurdles final involved gold medallist Lin Yuwei, who won in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3236758/asian-games-2023-china-appears-censor-tiananmen-picture-athletes-wearing-6/4-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3236758/asian-games-2023-china-appears-censor-tiananmen-picture-athletes-wearing-6/4-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Oct 2023 08:22:08 +0000 A filmed exchange between a young Chinese woman and her mother, who said she looked like a “prostitute” with dyed purple hair, has resonated with many online. In the August 4 video posted on Douyin by a young woman, known as @woyaochifanlea, from southern China’s Guangdong province, she told her mother in tears: “I don’t care how other people look at me, but you can’t look at me this way.” The unnamed university student said she had always chosen ordinary and inconspicuous colours when dyeing... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3230668/you-cant-look-me-way-chinese-womans-emotional-reply-mothers-claim-she-looks-prostitute-dyed-purple?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3230668/you-cant-look-me-way-chinese-womans-emotional-reply-mothers-claim-she-looks-prostitute-dyed-purple?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Aug 2023 01:00:20 +0000 Chinese athlete Wu Yanni, who won silver in the 100m women’s hurdles in World University Games, has hit back at critics of her “bad girl” tattoo, saying the body art is a symbol of her self-confidence. Wu, 26, has been dubbed China’s goddess of track and field because of her good looks and outgoing personality. The athlete set a new personal best of 12.76 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, the capital city of southwestern China’s Sichuan... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3230613/body-art-brouhaha-china-track-goddess-wu-yanni-hits-back-bad-girl-tattoo-taunts-saying-ink-job?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3230613/body-art-brouhaha-china-track-goddess-wu-yanni-hits-back-bad-girl-tattoo-taunts-saying-ink-job?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Aug 2023 06:00:12 +0000