Chapter 7: First in the Semi-Finals

"If it's not Pang Guibin, then who is it? That face looks familiar. Oh right, it's that person named Zhang Guan!" Hu Kai immediately realized, but found that Zhang Guan had already chased after the first place, Wang Peng.

Since the start of the race, Wang Peng has been in the leading position

"So soon? Are you confident?" Old Chen asked.

Off the field, Old Chen also furrowed his brows

Old Chen also noticed that Zhang Guan's condition was not as good as in the first match, but the subsequent display of faster speed was clearly inconsistent with reason

... ...

On the podium, Yu Zhidao was also paying attention to Zhang Guan. When he saw Zhang Guan's start, he couldn't help but laugh. At the same time, he muttered to himself: "He really is a newcomer. But newcomers are good; they have a blank slate and great potential for development! Huh? His explosive power is even stronger than before? How can he be so fast? This is impossible!"

Old Chen nodded: "That is correct. There is another semifinal this afternoon, and counting the two matches this morning, that makes it three matches in one day. The intensity of such competitions is quite high, so it is important to conserve some energy. Fortunately, the afternoon matches will start a bit later, giving you more time to recover. After the afternoon matches, there will be ample rest time until the finals of the 100 meters tomorrow afternoon. Moreover, the top eight based on overall results will advance to the finals this afternoon, which means the competition among athletes in the same group will be much less intense; you only need to focus on performing well yourself."

Experienced athletes understand the importance of maintaining their condition and excitement during competitions, which allows them to sustain their performance even after running two races in one morning. Zhang Guan, as a novice, clearly has not mastered this skill. After one match and a period of rest, Zhang Guan's body is no longer as energized as it was before, resulting in a much poorer start compared to his performance in the first match. Zhang Guan, as a novice, clearly has not mastered this skill. After one match and a period of rest, Zhang Guan's body is no longer as energized as it was before, resulting in a much poorer start compared to his performance in the first match

In a high-level 100-meter sprint competition, a difference of 0.01 seconds can be used as a criterion for evaluation, making the start reaction time particularly important. Zhang Guan's start reaction time is close to 0.4 seconds, while others are within 0.2 seconds, resulting in a gap of 0.2 seconds. In the men's 100 meters, a delay of 0.2 seconds at the start can almost be considered a death sentence for an athlete. Zhang Guan's start reaction time is close to 0.4 seconds, while others are within 0.2 seconds, resulting in a gap of 0.2 seconds. In the men's 100 meters, a delay of 0.2 seconds at the start can almost be considered a death sentence for an athlete

This is competitive sports! It is truly brutal, Zhang Guan silently sighed. On the field, strength is the only standard for gaining recognition from peers. Even if your appearance is not outstanding, even if your physique is not tall, even if you are not eloquent at all, as long as you achieve results, you will gain everyone's recognition. When you achieve sufficiently good results, you will earn the admiration of all!

How fast is that? Who could it be? Not wearing glasses, it can't be Hu Kai, so it must be Pang Guibin. Pang Guibin has made significant progress this year, to think he can run this fast. Wang Peng's thoughts flashed through his mind, and at that moment, he realized that the person had already matched his pace. He was then astonished to discover that this latecomer was actually not Pang Guibin.

Zhang Guan smiled awkwardly, but this was not due to him concealing his abilities; rather, it was because his skills had just upgraded after the last match ended

The start was poor! Both the coaches and athletes watching the competition thought the same, and even Old Chen shook his head in helplessness.

Zhang Guan hesitated for a moment and then said: "I really haven't tried it. I guess if I'm in good form and give it my all, I might be able to achieve 10 seconds and 30 milliseconds."

Suddenly, Wang Peng noticed out of the corner of his eye that an athlete had caught up behind him

"Honestly confess, how fast can you really run?" Old Chen continued to ask

The start was so poor, the reaction time at the start was almost 0.4 seconds. Even if he performs the same as in the last match, the result will exceed 10.60 seconds. It seems that this championship is not to be feared, the lineup for this group has been determined! Coach Chen slowly relaxed his tense fist, and the coaches beside him also breathed a sigh of relief.

Is that Zhang Guan, who ranked first in the preliminary round? Can he catch up with me? Wasn't the 10 seconds and 38 milliseconds in the preliminary round just a fluke? Wang Peng immediately realized this, and at the same time, he noticed that his own speed could not keep up with Zhang Guan. The two were neck and neck for just a moment before Zhang Guan overtook Wang Peng. At the very moment Zhang Guan completed the overtaking, Wang Peng clearly understood that he could not achieve a counter-overtake; the speed of his opponent was so fast that it left Wang Peng feeling a sense of despair.

"Surpassed!" Hu Kaixin felt a surge of joy in his heart and prepared to launch a sprint towards the leading Wang Peng

On the track, with less than 15 meters remaining to the finish line, Zhang Guan felt that advancing to the semifinals was no longer a concern given the current situation. Considering that his sprinting skill could last for 20 seconds, he deliberately slowed down his speed.

... ...

The one wearing glasses is Hu Kai! Pang Guibin realized that Hu Kai had already caught up, and then he glanced at Wang Peng, who was in the lead ahead. He felt that even if he exerted all his strength, it would be impossible to catch up with Wang Peng. In an instant, Pang Guibin made a decision; he must secure second place. Therefore, he immediately adjusted his pace and adopted a more aggressive running style

In the final ten meters, Wang Peng made a strong sprint but could only settle for second place, as Zhang Guan, who slowed down, crossed the finish line first. The time displayed his final result as 10.35 seconds, which was 0.03 seconds faster than his preliminary round, and he was also the first in the semifinals

At this very moment, a shadowy figure kicked past Hu Kai.

The start was somewhat unsuccessful. Zhang Guan felt quite frustrated; although he was a beginner, he could still sense that this start was clearly not as good as the last one.

On the racetrack, the third-placed Glasses Hero, Hu Kai, exerted all his strength to surge forward. After fifty meters, he was already neck and neck with the second-placed Pang Guibin.

Today, I feel quite good; I am certain I can finish this race in under 10.40 seconds! Wang Peng silently calculated in his mind. As an experienced athlete, even while the competition was still ongoing, he was able to estimate his approximate performance.

"Not good, I've been surpassed by Pang Guibin!" Hu Kaixin was taken aback, but soon realized that the figure that had overtaken him was slightly taller than Pang Guibin, and the athlete's uniform was also different.

Was this young man holding back before? It must be so, otherwise it wouldn't make sense. The move this child has kept hidden even fooled me. Although Old Chen thought this way, what filled his heart more was joy. Zhang Guan's performance today has greatly exceeded Old Chen's expectations. As a coach, he has dedicated his life to the country's sports事业, and now at this age, the success of his disciples has likely become Old Chen's only pursuit.

Coach Chen did not watch Zhang Guan's first match. According to his understanding of a normal athlete, Zhang Guan's reaction time at the start of the first match should be within 0.2 seconds, as a qualified professional athlete's reaction time should not exceed 0.2 seconds. Therefore, he calculated that Zhang Guan's final time would exceed 10.6 seconds. However, Coach Chen was unaware that he could not use the standard perception to judge a newcomer. In Zhang Guan's first match, his reaction time was 0.3 seconds. Although his starting condition in the second match was not good, it was only less than 0.1 seconds slower than the first match. Thus, he calculated that Zhang Guan's final time would exceed 10.6 seconds, but Coach Chen did not realize that he could not use the normal perception to judge a newcomer. In Zhang Guan's first match, his reaction time was 0.3 seconds, and although his starting condition in the second match was not good, it was only less than 0.1 seconds slower than the first match.

"If his condition is poor, he actually runs faster! Who would believe that? Did this kid not give his all in the first match?" Yu said in a low voice.

In this match, Wang Peng's performance is quite impressive; after fifty meters, he can already sense the taste of first place.

Zhang Guan nodded seriously, then leaned closer to Chen Lao and said softly: "I eased up a bit at the end during the competition just now"

In all racing events, the moment of overtaking is always the most thrilling and spectacular. Due to his reaction time at the start, Zhang Guan fell to the last position right from the beginning. However, within a mere ten seconds, he managed to overtake seven opponents and took the lead. Such a dramatic turnaround in the race is most capable of stirring the excitement of the surrounding audience. Especially at the moment when Zhang Guan overtook Wang Peng, several excited cheers and gasps of astonishment could be heard from outside the venue.

Hu Kai only began formal training in sprinting two years ago, and his competition experience and ability to adjust during races are not as strong as Pang Guibin's. However, when it comes to talent, Hu Kai is somewhat superior. At this moment, Hu Kai has found his rhythm and increased his speed, and surprisingly, he has overtaken Pang Guibin.

From the perspective of Zhang Guan's starting process, it is evident that his condition in the second race is not as good as in the first race, and his physical excitement is also not as high as in the first race. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that Zhang Guan's speed after the start would not be as fast as in the first race. However, after the start, not only did Zhang Guan's speed not decrease, but it was actually faster than in the first race. This, in the eyes of the coach, is completely contrary to common sense

Old Chen stepped forward and pretended to be angry, saying: "You little rascal, you actually know how to hide your strength! Clearly, you can run this fast, yet you kept it all hidden during training, even I was unaware of it"

Zhang Guan walked off the competition field, heading towards the athlete's passage. What he did not expect was that halfway there, he encountered some coaches or athletes he did not know at all, who took the initiative to greet him, and some even approached him to chat for a moment

However, unlike the first match, Zhang Guan's sprinting skill has now reached an expert level

At a glance, Coach Yu could tell that Zhang Guan's speed was slightly faster than in the first match, which left Coach Yu feeling somewhat perplexed