As the Tokyo Olympics approach, athletics are once more inspiring children around the world. And here in Taiwan, a new star sprinter is emerging – but she’s only a grade schooler yet. Last week at the National Elementary Track and Field Championships, Liu Hsin-yu ran 60 meters in under 8 seconds. She’s now the second fastest girl in Taiwan’s history.

The gun fires and they’re off. Contenders abound, but Liu in track 5 maintains her lead, pulls away, and crosses the finish line at 7.99 seconds, later adjusted to 7.98, winning gold.

Previously in the semifinal, she clocked a 7.94, the second fastest in Taiwan, making her only the third elementary girl athlete to run this distance in under 8 seconds.

Chien Chung-en
Yilan Track and Field Association coach
We had two girls in Taiwan run 60 meters in 8 seconds. Now this year Liu Hsin-yu is the third. Her 7.94 in the semis was the second fastest ever for the girls’ 60 meters.

Liu’s coach is bursting with pride. He says his student is a natural at track training.

Chien Chung-en
Yilan Track and Field Association coach
She has a lot of explosive power and she’s flexible, and she recovers faster than others. She’s short but her gait is longer than girls who are taller than her.

At the National Elementary Track and Field Championships in Hsinchu last weekend, Liu ran 60 meters in under 8 seconds in the semis and the final. Just 142 centimeters tall, the Yilan school girl has given running her all.

Liu Hsin-yu
Elementary school running champion
Sometimes I feel so tired, and my movements are wrong and I don’t get the time.

Weng Chung-wei
Yilan Track and Field Association coach
We don’t demand she train all the time. We demand the quality and the spirit – so all her movements need to be precise and correct. If she doesn’t get it right then we keep repeating it. She’s very mentally strong.

Liu’s performance is already remarkable, but she’s just getting started. She hopes she can keep improving, stay fit and healthy, and follow in the footsteps of her hero, Chi Cheng,all the way to the Olympics.