Chapter 5: Initial Victory
What is going on? Why are you coming in so aggressively right from the start? There is no need to compete so fiercely in the preliminary round!
Old Chen extended two fingers and said, "Two months ago, during the national second-level athlete test, I discovered a treasure."
"The 10 seconds have turned into 20 seconds, which means that the effect of the sprint can cover the entire process of the 100-meter race. Therefore, in the final segment of the distance, I will also be able to enjoy the skill enhancement," Zhang Guan thought to himself.
The test for a second-tier athlete? Yu, the coach, widened his eyes in astonishment; to him, the level of a mere national second-tier athlete was as childish as a child's play. Then, Yu recalled what Old Chen had said two months ago.
10 seconds 38! exclaimed in surprise.
Guiding Wang looked at the satisfied Old Chen and said, "Old Chen, where did you find this good seedling?"
The system prompt reappeared: Task completed, reward received: 1 skill point
... ...
It is unknown to the coach that Zhang Guan's original reaction time at the start was even worse. Achieving a reaction time of less than 0.3 seconds within two months has already made Mr. Chen very satisfied
Two months ago, Zhang Guan's hand-timed result was 10.3 seconds, which would be approximately 10.54 seconds with electronic timing. Now, with electronic timing, the result is 10.38 seconds, which is 0.16 seconds faster than two months ago, primarily due to improvements in the start time
This is not right, this speed seems a bit outrageous!
Upgrade successful, sprint skill elevated to expert level, skill effect enhancement: significant increase in straight-line running speed, duration 20 seconds
Under the athlete selection and rating system in the country, Coach Yu, as the national team coach, is well-acquainted with the athletes of the provincial level. However, Zhang Guan is clearly an exception. Coach Yu recalled those outstanding first-level athletes, yet he could not find similar information.
Beginner task: Break a national record once
In the midst of the discussions among the crowd, Zhang Guan was nearing the finish line. Even though he had lost the advantage of the "sprint" skill over a certain distance, there was no doubt that Zhang Guan crossed the finish line first, and the time in his mind precisely stopped at 10.38 seconds at the moment he crossed the finish line
It turns out that the national competition is nothing more than this Zhang Guan let out a slight sigh of relief, and the tension completely vanished without a trace
"It is quite normal, after all, they are the first group. They do not have a competitive advantage, so it is better to aim for securing a spot in the top two to advance to the semifinals," another person spoke up.
I have never seen ... ...
... ...
... ...
From a distance, Coach Yu furrowed his brow. As the coach of the national team, he naturally understood that the athletes' reaction time at the start and their condition at the moment of starting were closely related. However, every professional athlete has undergone extensive training, and their muscles and bodies have long since developed a memory for the starting action, to the extent that it can be said to have formed a conditioned reflex. For outstanding professional athletes, even if their condition at the start is somewhat lacking, relying solely on their body's memory and conditioned reflex for the start, their reaction time cannot be slower than 0.2 seconds. However, every professional athlete has undergone extensive training, and their muscles and bodies have long since developed a memory for the starting action, to the extent that it can be said to have formed a conditioned reflex. For outstanding professional athletes, even if their condition at the start is somewhat lacking, relying solely on their body's memory and conditioned reflex for the start, their reaction time cannot be slower than 0.2 seconds.
However, this kid's speed is indeed quite fast. Such speed should not be typical of a newcomer, yet I have never seen him before
Immediately afterwards, the system's voice sounded: "In addition to being used to learn skills, skill points can also be used to upgrade skills. Next, you may attempt to upgrade your skills."
In the system, the originally green icon for skills has now changed to blue, and the previous description of "a certain increase in straight running speed" has been modified to "a significant increase." At the same time, the duration has also changed from 10 seconds to 20 seconds, effectively doubling the duration.
Did he participate in the Level 2 athlete test two months ago? Could he be a newcomer?" Yu immediately grasped the crux of the issue
At last, the gunshot rang out, and the eight athletes on the track burst forth from the starting line, with Zhang Guan simultaneously activating his "sprint" skill
However, at the moment the race started, Zhang Guan fell to the last position. The reaction time of professional athletes at the start is generally within 0.2 seconds, while Zhang Guan's current reaction time is approximately 0.1 seconds slower than that of others. After all, with only two months of training, Zhang Guan has not yet fully reached the level of professional athletes in terms of reaction time at the start.
The several groups of contestants preparing to take the stage next are also watching from the sidelines
"He is seventeen years old this year, in his second year of high school, and has only been practicing sprinting for a few years. He has been undergoing formal training under my guidance for just two months." Old Chen nodded and then asked, "You can't believe it, can you?"
A new task prompt suddenly appeared
What is going on with Old Chen? His own disciple dares to lose focus at the starting line, yet he seems so pleased! Yu, the instructor, found it somewhat baffling, and then shifted his gaze back to the racetrack, only to discover that Zhang Guan had already caught up with the leader.
This achievement may not seem remarkable ten years from now, but at that time, it was indeed an extraordinary accomplishment. Last year, only three individuals in the country managed to run within 10.40 seconds, and Zhang Guan's time of 10.38 seconds would have ranked him among the top four in the country for the year.
What is going on? How did he catch up! Such speed! This is the kind of speed only top athletes in the country possess. Coach Yu's eyes widened; he is the highest-level coach in the country and is extremely sensitive to the speed of athletes. Therefore, in just an instant, Coach Yu made an accurate judgment.
It must be said that the two months of starting training have been very effective for Zhang Guan; at least in terms of starting posture and force application direction, Zhang Guan has already caught up with other professional athletes
You now possess expert-level skills, and you are no longer the same as before. The broad road to the peak of life has been opened; embrace the challenge!
In professional competitions of the men's 100 meters, the only explanation for an athlete's reaction time being slower than 0.2 seconds is a lack of focus at the start. Being inattentive during a competition is a major taboo in any sport, and it is an unforgivable mistake in a 100-meter race. Thus, the coach slightly turned his head to glance at Mr. Chen, only to find a faint smile on Mr. Chen's face, which was a very reassuring expression
On the track, as Zhang Guan completed the race, the novice task was also completed.
"It is not just disbelief; it is simply shocking." After a pause in his speech, he continued, "Lao Chen, please provide me with a copy of this child's information later! The national team needs some fresh blood."
In the center of the system interface, the icon for the sprint skill appeared, and the task prompt indicated that Zhang Guan needed to upgrade the sprint skill. Zhang Guan immediately upgraded the sprint skill.
Everyone take their positions, prepare! The starter raised the starting gun, and the athletes, including Zhang Guan, assumed their starting stances
Subsequently, Zhang Guan looked towards the several display screens at the finish line, which showed that his final time was 10.38 seconds
On the track, Zhang Guan stood on the starting blocks, feeling a bit nervous in his heart