Chinese track and field beauty Wu Yanni sparks criticism despite setting national record

Chinese female hurdler Wu Yanni during a competition. Photo by Instagram/@wuyanni_jennie

Wu finished third in the semifinal on Monday with a time of 8.01 seconds, just 0.01 seconds behind second-place finisher Ackera Nugent of Jamaica. Only the top two runners advanced to the final.

Wu's time set a new Chinese national record and was the fourth-fastest time ever achieved by an Asian woman. Despite this accomplishment, she was still heavily criticized by Chinese netizens.

"Her ability and reputation don't match up," one user wrote on Weibo. "She's just a marketing tool and an internet celebrity."

Another user compared Wu's popularity to Liu Xiang, a former Chinese hurdler who won an Olympic gold medal and two world championships, noting that her strength is "million miles away from Liu Xiang's level."

During her career, Wu’s outspoken personality, tattoos and use of makeup during competitions have divided opinions within the Chinese sports community. In China, sports stars are traditionally not allowed to display tattoos on television.

However, many supporters came to Wu's defense.

"She’s already China’s top hurdler in this event. Any future improvement will be a huge achievement," one user commented on Weibo.

"She was just 0.01 seconds short of reaching the final - the smallest of margins," another added.

Wu was visibly emotional and burst into tears when she set the national record. The 27-year-old dedicated the achievement to her fans, family and friends who have supported her, Xinhua reported.

In the final, Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas took first place with a time of 7.72 seconds. Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland and Nugent followed with times of 7.73 and 7.74 seconds.

At the recently concluded World Athletics Championships in Nanjing, China, the host secured only one silver and one bronze medal, finishing 18th overall. The U.S. topped the medal table with six golds, four silvers and six bronzes.

Wu, who began her career in 2016, is currently China’s top female hurdler. On the international stage, she earned a silver medal at the 2021 World University Games.