From internet addict to international championships: The journey of a student cyclist

“Three... two... one...” a voice announces over the speakers.

The tension mounts. You can almost hear the hearts pounding.

“Bang!”

As the sound of the starting pistol pierces the air, all the cyclists spring into action, and their legs propel them forward with explosive force.

Among them is Xin Shu, a Year Three BA International Relations student at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU).

He recently participated in the 2024 World University Cycling Championship in Costa Rica and ranked 22nd and 23rd in the Cross-Country Olympic and Cross-Country Eliminator (XCE), respectively.

Xin Shu at XJTLU’s South Campus

From screens to sports

But Shu wasn’t always a keen athlete – in his early teenage years, before he found his passion for cycling, he was addicted to computer games.

Concerned about his excessive screen time, his father encouraged him to try sports. “Don’t play computer games all the time. Do some sports – any sports – and we will support you,” his father said.

Intrigued by his father’s suggestion, Shu agreed to explore new activities.

One day, he saw a group of cyclists whizzing along the road. “I think they are really cool,” he said.

Shu decided to join them. He went to a bicycle shop and started chatting with the people there. Afterwards, he joined them for a bike ride and quickly developed a passion for mountain biking.

Shu was born in Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is famous for its mountainous terrain. Shu fell in love with the thrill of conquering uphill climbs and speeding down steep hills. So much so that he persuaded his parents to send him to a sports school because he wanted to be an athlete.

However, a coach at the sports school saw his potential to use his cycling skills to do more than races, and encouraged him to reconsider academic studies.

The coach told him: “Only knowing how to ride a bike is not enough. You should study, go abroad, and see how top athletes are trained and how top teams operate. Only then can you do more meaningful things in this field.”

Shu accepted the advice and returned to high school to further his studies.

In 2021, he received an offer to study BSc Sport and Exercise Science at Loughborough University in the UK. However, considering the pandemic and the high tuition fees, Shu decided to explore alternative options. He then found XJTLU and secured a place at BA International Relations.

Xin Shu’s bike in front of the south gate of XJTLU’s North Campus

Cycling with a purpose

By studying international relations, Shu discovered that he has a deeper sense of purpose.

“I want to bring honour to my country in the field of cycling. This mission resonates within me even more after studying international relations,” he says.

“Through academic studies, I learned more about the rules of international affairs. I also realised that our world faces many problems, and I want to make a difference,” he adds.

Shu firmly believes in what President Xi Jinping once said: “The foundation of state-to-state relations lies in the amity between their peoples.”

“I think that exchanges and interactions between the people of different countries is an important component of China’s diplomacy. And that’s why I want to go abroad and tell China’s story on the international stage,” Shu says.

With this belief in mind, an opportunity arose in 2023: the Cycling Division of the China Student Sports Federation was organising a selection for the 2024 World University Cycling Championship from 29 May to 2 June in Costa Rica.

Xin Shu competing in the 2024 World University Cycling Championship in Costa Rica

Rising from setbacks

However, Shu failed the first selection in October 2023 due to a mechanical issue. “It was a disappointment, but it also fuelled a stronger determination within me,” he says.

Instead of dwelling on it, Shu chose to push himself further. He continued to engage in training, including cycling drills, strength workouts, strategic race simulations, and more.

As the months passed, Shu remained determined. In January 2024, when the national team was organising a second selection in Mangshi, Yunnan province, he was ready.

Xin Shu cycling at China Epic Aba County Challenge in Sichuan province in 2023

Overcoming obstacles

The opportunity to train alongside the nation’s top cyclists was a dream come true for Shu. He cherished every moment of it, and he maintained an intense training schedule of four to five hours every day.

In a 32km uphill session, the riders needed to shift to the heaviest gear for the second half. This gear required them to apply maximum force to conquer the ascent. Some couldn’t endure, but Shu persisted and completed the climb with gritted teeth.

Towards the end of the selection process, Shu injured his knee, but he concealed the pain from the team doctor. “I knew this opportunity was incredibly valuable, and I didn’t want to let it slip away,” he says.

His perseverance paid off. His outstanding performance in the anaerobic sprint and muscle strength tests earned him a ticket to the 2024 World University Cycling Championship.

Xin Shu competing in China MTB National Team Member Election Race to 2024 World University Cycling Championships

Xin Shu (fourth from left) with his teammates and coaches

Uniting nations through cycling

In the championship, Shu, alongside 19 other teammates, represented China, showcasing Chinese student athletes on the international stage.

They competed against university cyclists from around the world, including riders registered with the Union Cycliste Internationale. In the end, Shu ranked 22nd and 23rd in the XCO and XCE, respectively.

“There are some regrets, but I did my best,” Shu says.

For Shu, there’s something more important than competing against other riders.

Outside the race track, he saw university students from around the world chatting with each other. They took photos, added friends on social media, and exchanged gifts. To Shu, this warm, international atmosphere was even more precious.

“It’s truly amazing to see young people from different countries uniting through cycling to promote peace in this world through sports exchange. This, to me, is the most beautiful result of this journey,” he says.

Xin Shu (left) taking a selfie with the cyclists from Japan

By Bo Kou
Edited by Xinmin Han and Patricia Pieterse
Photos by Zuofu Wang and Xin Shu