On Aug 9, Inner Mongolian Olympian athlete Yang Liu displayed remarkable skill but was defeated by Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, earning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics women's boxing 66kg category.

Reflecting on the intense showdown, lasting 9 minutes across three rounds, Yang expressed, "I gave it my all, but there remains a hint of regret."

Having started boxing at the age of 15, it took Yang 17 years to step onto the Olympic boxing stage.

Throughout nearly a decade in the national team, she remained a sparring partner. The Olympic peak seemed within reach, yet she always played a supporting role.

It wasn't until the Paris cycle that Yang finally seized her opportunity. In 2023, she clinched the world women's boxing championship and secured a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games, earning her ticket to the Paris Olympics.

Despite stepping onto the Olympic boxing stage for the first time at 32, Yang believes age is not a barrier. "As long as you have the mindset to participate in the Olympics, you are forever young".

Each experience is wealth, and with age comes more competition experience, a calmer mindset and improved performance in matches.