Explainer | Fu Yuanhui: biography, family, breaking taboos, ‘mystical’ swimming performances and social media stardom
- The 25-year-old Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist has openly talked about menstruation, boyfriends and boobs
- Fu has become a viral sensation several times thanks to her hilariously candid interviews and reactions
Chinese swimming star Fu Yuanhui has captured the hearts of many for her refreshingly honest and quirky interview and podium moments.
That is not to say her swimming accolades are not of note – she is a 2016 Rio Olympic Games bronze medallist and two-time world championship and Asian Games gold medallist – but you could argue that the 25-year-old walking meme-generator has made a bigger impact with her viral moments that tend to transcend sport itself.
From guffawing on live TV after learning she had clocked a record time, to openly talking about menstruation in post-swim interviews, to pulling faces next to her cookie-cutter smile-wearing relay teammates, here’s what you need to know about the woman with self-labelled “mystical powers”.
Biography
Fu Yuanhui was born on January 7, 1996, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to Fu Chungsheng and Shen Ying. Neither of her parents had much of an athletic background, but Fu’s father sent his daughter to a local swimming school at the age of five to try to slowly improve her breathing. Fu, who reportedly suffered from asthma since childhood, eventually made a name for herself in the junior circles.