Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Chinese hurdler Wu Yanni was in fine form at the heat in the women's 100 meters hurdles at the FISU Games on Thursday, as local fans spared no effort in cheering for their home star athlete. 

At the Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, local favorite Wu finished the heat in 12.98 seconds, the only athlete in the heats that finished under the 13 second barrier. 

"The atmosphere makes me very energetic," the Beijing Sport University student told reporters about local fans' unwavering support for her. 

"I will do my best in the semifinals as well as the final."

Her teammate Lin Yuwei of East China Normal University qualified for the semifinals as the runner-up in the heats thanks to a 13.18 second finish. 

Taking after China's athletics great Liu Xiang, who won a sensational Olympic 110 meters hurdles gold medal in 2004, Wu, who turned 26 on the opening day of the FISU Games, has become an online sensation since she won the national champions race in July with a stylish performance. Wu was born in Zigong, a southern Sichuan city, before starting a hurdles career in neighboring city Neijiang. She has said that she hopes his achievement could inspire more young athletes to continue their pursuit of sports. 

Her best finish in the 100 meters hurdles stays at 12.87 seconds, which was set in 2021. Her winning result of 12.93 seconds at the national champions race is her best result in 2023.

Many netizens have focused their attention on Wu's appearance rather than her performance on the track, but she has insisted that she be remembered as a hurdler in the hopes her achievements can help the sport grow more popular. 

The semifinals and final of the women's 100 meters hurdles will be held on Friday.

Wu's popularity has also made her one of the many star athletes that volunteers take photos with in the Games Village. She has revealed that nearly all the pins on the ribbon of her accreditation card have come from volunteers who want to take photos with her.