SHANGHAI (SCMP): Mainland Chinese internet users were left in awe by the country’s Olympic champion, Quan Hongchan – not for her diving techniques this time, but for her new image, which prompted many to marvel that Quan has “really grown up.”
On January 12, Quan shared multiple images of herself picking strawberries and tomatoes at a farm in her hometown of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, as reported by the news outlet Red Star News.
Shortly after, the hashtags “Quan Hongchan sports long hair” and “Quan Hongchan has apparently become thinner” quickly became some of the most searched news items online.
In those selfies, Quan, now 18, showcases longer hair dyed a light blondish brown, wearing sunglasses and dressed casually. She adds cute animations to her pictures, reminiscent of typical girls her age, according to the report.
Her selfie post has garnered 150,000 likes on social media platforms in China.
“Sister Quan has really grown up. I am happy to accompany you as you continue to mature,” commented one online observer.
Another remarked: “It’s like ‘my daughter has just come of age.’ This girl is becoming more and more beautiful.”
“She is no longer the tomboy she once was. Instead, she has transformed into the girl-next-door sweet girl,” praised another commenter.
As one of the most popular athletes in China, Quan won the gold medal in the 10-metre platform diving at the Tokyo Olympics when she was only 14 and successfully defended her title at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The mainland public have embraced her not only for her diving talent but also for her genuine and straightforward nature.
During the Tokyo Olympics, Quan was once described as a “young boy alike” due to her extremely short hair and her height of just 1.43 metres.
In the past two years, her diving performance has been challenged by the physical changes she experienced during her development.
She now stands at about 1.6 metres tall and has gained weight, largely influenced by her family’s genetics, as her mother and three siblings also have a fuller figure.
As a result, Quan has had to exert more effort to adapt to these body changes.
She also endured multiple injuries last year and withdrew from a national competition in May before disappearing from the public eye for months.
Quan made her comeback at the National Games in November last year, where she and her partner, Wang Weiying, won gold for Guangdong province in the women’s synchronised 10m platform.
“I am so great!” Quan declared on social media after that match.
This post received 33,000 likes, with one internet user commenting: “You are always excellent! Keep fighting, girl!”
In September last year, Quan was admitted to the prestigious Jinan University in Guangzhou, Guangdong, where she is majoring in sports training. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
