Chinese youngster Chen aims to run 100m under 10 secs

GUANGZHOU, China - Chen Guanfeng, a shining star at the Guangzhou Athletics Relays held here this weekend, has vowed to become China's third sub-10 second sprinter in the men's 100 meters.

The 23-year-old won the men's 4x100m relay together with his national teammate Tang Xingqiang, Liu Hongxi and Chen Qiwei in 39.45 seconds on Saturday, as China's fastest sprinter Su Bingtian watched on the stands.

"I've learned a lot from my idol Su, improving my techniques and making progress. Of course I want to break 10 seconds all the time," said Chen, who has trained with Su since the beginning of this year.

Asian record holder Su, 33, was the first Chinese to run 100m in under 10 seconds in 2015, followed by Xie Zhenye in 2018.

"He's the best of the young Chinese athletes. Give him three years and he will break the 10-second barrier," Su said after Chen had clocked a personal best of 10.06 in the National Championships in 2021.

Chen also won the men's 60m title in an Asian season's best of 6.55 at the National Indoor Championships in March, adding that he had taken inspiration from Su and hoped to compete with his idol at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"I certainly want to compete in Paris, together with Su, and I'll try my best to qualify," said Chen, "but I have to do it step by step. For this year, my goals are the Asian Games and the World Championships."

For August's World Championships in Budapest and the 2024 Olympics, Chen will likely focus on a 4x100m relay berth, since the entry standard for the men's 100m has been raised to 10.00.