An Ying was running through the academy's corridor. She quickly dressed up in her swimming suit and reached near the pool. Taking a deep breath, she walked towards her coach who was talking with some other coaches.
"I'm here coach. What's the commotion? Why are you panicking so much?" Asked Ying Yue and then greeted the other coaches.
"It's a thing to worry about as your opponent has broken many records. So, it's going to be a tough competition. Let's start our practice then," stated Chan Juan and told her to get into the pool.
Ying Yue started her training. Her time was also improved significantly in the butterfly stroke which somewhat assured Coach that An Ying will do good and she shouldn't worry that much.
Ying Yue kept training for the five days and rest two days she gave her body a rest to give a good performance in the championship.
On the competition day, she found she had to beat around 100 contestants in the championship. Every contestant was warming up and stretching a bit when the announcement was made.
"Everyone please be attentive. Total 128 contestants are participating in this Swimming Championship. The contestants will be selected based on the knockdown method.
16 rounds will be there for a pair of 8 contestants and then the best 3 performances will be selected in each round who will enter for the second round." The announcer announced. The huge screen on the front showed up the round 1 contestants.
Ying Yue's turn came for the second round. Her family was also present there who were giving thumbs up to her from the stadium. Bingqing, her manager was also cheering for her and many others as she was the known face.
The first round of the knockdown event was over and the best 3 contestants were promoted for the next event. The second round started when Chan Juan patted at Ying Yue back and wished her best.
The 8 contestants were lined up and as the whistle blew up they dived into the water. Loud cheering noises could be heard for the contestants. Ying Yue easily won first place in her round, thus qualifying for the 2nd round. As she came out of the Water Chan Juan wrapped a towel around her and took her to the resting place for the swimmers.
The knockdown event continued till noon. 48 contestants made it into the second round. Second knockdown event started after an hour break. The same thing was repeated as it was in the 1st round and 18 contestants were selected for the last round which was scheduled for the next day.
Ying Yue after meeting her family members left for the room which was assigned to her. Chan Juan came there and after having a good talk which was full of encouragement for Ying Yue, Chan Juan left the room.
Ying Yue stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself. "An Ying Yue, you'll win this championship and will make your loved ones proud once again." Saying this she rested to the bed and fell asleep.
~~~~~~~~~
The next day 18 contestants were ready for the final round. The announcer made an announcement telling that the contestants will have to undergo two rounds. The first round will pick 3 best ones for the last round from the two teams of 9 contestants each. In the last round 6 contestants will fight for the championship title.
Ying Yue easily qualified for the last round and was observing the movements of the contender who had broken many records in a small span of time. "So, I've to beat her in this championship," thought Ying Yue.
The final list was announced after a 30 minutes break and 6 contestants were told to be given 3 chances to score best. Whoever will have the best scores will win the championship but the game's main goal is to promote fraternity among all.
As they took their positions, Ying Yue looked at her father who was cheering for her. She gave him a smile full of assurance and then looked into the water. The whistle was blown and the contestants dived into the water. Ying Yue failed by 1 second against the new contestant of whom her coach warned her about.
"I have two more chances," murmured Ying Yue and the second whistle blew up after 5 minutes. She was able to negotiate that missed second and smiled.
"Ying Yue, last chance. You're the top scorer. Do your best," said Chan Juan while wiping her arms.
"Don't worry, I'll win because I'm a born champion," muttered Ying Yue and put on her swimming glasses on her eyes. Juan and other coaches back off.
"Ready- Set- Go," the announcer said on the loudspeaker. The splash of water could be heard as the contestants were moving into the water. Ying Yue covered her first lap and smiled as she saw she's close to the target when her opponent got close to her.
"As you can see the 5 times champion Ying Yue and 3 times champion Jenny Wang are in a close tie up. Now the interesting thing is who will win this championship title. And here's the result," the announcer announced in an enthusiastic tone.
The crowd was cheering and shouting for them. The swimming was over. The swimmers were breathing heavily while looking at the giant screen which popped up the name of champions in a few seconds.
"And the Winner of this Championship is Jenny Wang." The announcer said loudly. The people's cheer became more loud. Ying Yue couldn't believe her eyes that she was defeated for the first time. She lost the championship with 0.1 second.
She came out of the water when Chan told her not to take stress. Ying Yue didn't speak anything and shook hands with Jenny Wang. After 30 minutes when the champion was given the trophy, Ying Yue left the place telling her manager that she was having a headache.
Bingqing took her to the hotel where swimmers were staying for 3 days. As she came out of the car, the camera flashes didn't leave her there too and started asking about her recent failure in the championship.
Her bodyguards and the magnet safely took her inside the hotel when Bingqing told Ying Yue that she should go to her room. Ying Yue without saying anything left from there.
As she entered the elevator her mind was still thinking about her defeat. Her father's face appeared in her mind followed by her mother and the coach. She was in a deep thought that she didn't realize she was on the 70th floor already.
"How will I face them? I was never defeated once but today I lost just by 0.1 seconds. All eyes were onto me at the time when the result was announced. I can't face them," murmured Ying Yue when the elevator opened up on the 72nd floor.
It was the terrace. Ying Yue stepped out of the elevator and then climbed the 5 stairs, reached the terrace. The only thing she was coming up with was ending her life as she wasn't able to bear the failure she got as a champion.
She stopped at the end of the terrace. Tears were pouring down her eyes when she stepped her one foot forward. "Sorry, mom-dad. I don't think I will ever be able to look into your eyes." saying this Ying Yue jumped off the building.