Rising to the challenges of unique locale

The run-up takes place on soft sand, while the takeoff zone features a standard rubber surface, creating an abrupt shift in underfoot conditions. Compounding the challenge, sand inevitably spreads across the rubber.

"The surface is slippery when you take off, and there is a risk of injury. I tried to control my speed during my approach and adjust my steps. It was so hard," said Filipino men's high jump athlete Leonard Grospe in an interview following the first competition day.

During the competition, both Shao and Hu missed twice at 1.83 meters, before finally clearing it on their third attempts. After Uzbekistan's Barnokhon Sayfullayeva successfully made 1.85m, the two Chinese jumpers decided to skip their remaining tries at that height and moved straight to 1.87m. Unfortunately, they failed all three attempts, and both had to settle for silver.

"Of course, I'm disappointed not to win the gold, but I'm still proud that we Chinese athletes took home two silver medals — and congratulations to the gold medalist," Shao said.

"No matter what kind of venue we compete in, everyone faces the same conditions. As long as you give it your all, there's no reason to regret anything," Hu added.

As the high jump competition was wrapping up, the 4x60-meter relay races had already begun on the adjacent track, with the cheers from the crowd ringing out.

Yet, both jumpers said they didn't notice any of it — they were completely absorbed in their own performances.

That same ability to block out distractions has served them well off the field, too, especially in coping with the surge of public attention that followed the 15th National Games.