00:53
Alex Hua Tian, who won a silver medal for China at the 2014 Asian Games, is the youngest ever to compete at an Olympics as well as China's first equestrian Olympian in history.
Having competed in many prestigious events, Alex still seeks joy in exploring the sport. "My understanding of happiness is not just those moments under the spotlight, but those of exploration and experience", he said in the interview with People's Daily.
Looking back at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Alex said it was a fairytale, but disappointing. Despite his unexpected fall at fence 8 which he referred to as a devastating moment, Alex would like to thank the failure in 2008. "Without that moment, I don't think I would have qualified for the Rio Olympic Games. I don't think I would have been so motivated to get back here again and to prove that we can do it and China can do it," he said.
The Rio Olympics, in his eyes, was an opportunity to wipe clean his disappointment from the two previous Olympics. He finished eighth in the end. By making progress one after another, Alex made tremendous efforts to promote equestrianism in China and around the world.
Alex will compete for China at the 2018 Jakarta Asia Games.
(Story compiled by Han Xiaomeng)
