Step to the edge of the platform, jump and dive. Then do it all over again.

These are the countless repetitive steps toward perfection taken by Chinese diving star Chen Yuxi, the 19-year-old Olympic champion who is determined to start a new chapter in her already stellar career.

“We always say, once you step off the podium, everything resets. Starting from zero in this (Olympic) cycle means that I need to let go of all my past achievements, my previous status, also the emotional and psychological pressure accumulated from the last cycle,” Chen said in an exclusive interview with China Daily online show Tracking Success.

“Then, step-by-step, I have to embrace diving exactly as it is and continue with the training and competitions. This helps me better adjust my mindset,” Chen added.

After winning a gold and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year, Chen’s diving career continues with steely determination. With refreshed momentum, Chen has proved herself once again through her performances this season.

Demonstrating her return to form at the 2025 World Aquatics Diving World Cup Super Final in Beijing in May, Chen captured three gold medals. She delivered a stunning performance with a score of 431.25 points to win the women’s 10m platform title, and also claimed victories in the women’s 10m synchronized and the mixed 3m and 10m team events. She was honored as the Best Female Diver of the 2025 Diving World Cup season. Soon after, she continued her winning streak at the national diving championship in Wuhan in May, once again standing out with a medal-laden performance.

Reflecting on the ups and downs of her diving career, Chen believes the most important thing is to keep focusing on herself, especially as she seeks perfection with every dive.

Over the past seven to eight years, Chen said that she has adhered to practicing her core movements countless times. It has been a nonstop process of repeating them day after day. Although the training can feel tedious, every movement demands meticulous refinement and thorough preparation for the decisive moment when everything is on the line.

“Diving is just like polishing a piece of art,” Chen said, providing a vivid metaphor. “It is the combination of artistic beauty and a sense of strength, including a control over details. It requires precision, measured in fractions of a second, and angles precise to fractions of a degree.”

At this stage of her career, Chen, already a mature diver on the platform, said that she’s more disciplined and self-motivated. Instead of just focusing on the quantity of the training, she emphasizes ensuring that the quality of every movement consistently meets the standard she sets for herself.

“When you truly see your movement perfectly executed, it’s a great affirmation,” added Chen, who feels a clear transformation within herself.

“I think the biggest change is that it went from the coach telling me to train, to me wanting to train myself.”

Chen believes that diving is an exceptionally comprehensive sport. To become an outstanding diver, athletes must develop sharp thinking, extraordinary flexibility, tremendous strength, and all-around top-level physical qualities.

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Beyond technical skill, Chen has also developed a personal approach that guides her through every stage of preparation and competition. First and foremost, she believes that confidence is essential.

“When standing on the platform during a competition, you can’t hesitate or be timid. You have to be confident and bold, and focus on executing the key points of the movements,” she explained.

In addition to cultivating confidence, she emphasizes the importance of continuous self-improvement. No matter how many competitions she has participated in, regardless of success or failure, she insists on constantly reflecting and striving to get better. She believes that only through a process of constant refinement can an athlete continue to progress.

Unwavering love

Through all the highs and lows, what remains unshaken for Chen is her enduring love for diving. For Chen, it’s not about listening to the voices around her; rather, it’s an inner drive that pushes her forward without needing external encouragement.

She has made a personal commitment to keep following her heart and to love the sport deeply, no matter whether it brings her sorrow or joy.

Looking down from the 10-meter-high platform, Chen said that she feared the height when she was a young diver, as it felt like staring into an abyss. That fear still remains to some extent.

“The 10-meter height is still there, as my fear toward it is always there,” Chen said. “After each competition, if I don’t get back on the platform for a while, I start to wonder how I even jumped down.

“It is, of course, an abyss for me, even now. However, I know this is a thing we have to confront and overcome.”

She reminds herself that even if it feels daunting, she must trust in her ability and move forward. It is okay, she believes, to grow alongside her fear — because, eventually, she will overcome it each time she confidently jumps and feels the water envelop her body.

Now, as an Olympic and world champion, Chen has already become a role model to the younger generation of divers. She hopes to offer them encouragement and help them develop their own inner strength and resilience.

“I would like to lend a hand to the younger divers. When I saw them standing near the pool, it reminded me of my path growing up,” Chen stated. “Time flies. I think it’s time for me to gradually take the responsibility and set a good example for the coming generation.”

But, for anyone, she reflects, true power doesn’t come from outside — it comes from within.

“The moment you’re on the platform during a competition, even though the coaches are below giving you lots of encouragement, when you really step up there, it’s just you. You have to take that step yourself, and take it bravely and with conviction.”

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Alongside her rigorous training, Chen is also embarking on a new journey as a student at Tongji University. In her day-to-day life, she has begun exploring new interests beyond the diving pool. One of her favorite hobbies now is photography. Whether she is with her teammates or taking a break between training sessions, she enjoys picking up her camera and capturing the moments that matter.

She is especially happy to document the special moments in her teammates’ growth and their hard work. “I also really hope to capture all the moments from their training and competitive life. Whether it’s for myself or for them, it’s all about preserving beautiful memories.”