New Sun Rising
By Cui Xiaohuo (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-06-08 11:03

Sun Rui may be the unlikeliest sportsman out there: he actually prefers doing his homework to practicing bunny hops on Beijing's streets.

"I don't want to give up school, that's for sure," said the 19-year-old high school student, who is widely tipped to join China's naitonal BMX squad in the next year or two.

Sun, who won the national championships for bike trials in 2005, is fast making a name for himself among China's BMX community. Video clips showcasing his skills attract thousands of downloads.

In China, media coverage has spurred something of a negative backlash against the traditional sporting system that treats athletes like workhorses then leaves them struggling at the end of their careers. Sun does not want to fall into that trap.

So far, the signs from both his teachers and coaches are all positive.

He already has a sponsor supplying his equipment and local coaches have approached him about his Olympic prospects. But he is not letting it get to his head.

"I'll think about it after I finish senior high school," he said.

Sun got an opportunity to flash some of his BMX skills on April 26 when he was invited to perform at the presentation of the Beijing Olympics torch and relay route.

"I just love this sport and I like concentrating on my moves," he said. "I have met with and taught other people who do freestyle and bike trials just to show off and draw people's attention, but I don't think that's the right attitude."

When Sun bought himself a 26-inch mountain bike at the age of 11, he was only 145cm tall. The bike was simply too big for him.

"It was very difficult starting out because the bike was too heavy. When I tried to climb steps with it, people couldn't even see there was a boy hauling this huge bike along," he said.

Considering that BMX will be one the most risk-prone sports at the Olympics when it debuts next year, fear is all part of the game.

"I'm afraid before trying new, challenging moves, but I become less scared after time," he said.

Unfortunately his parents do not. They locked his bike away after he came home with grazes all over his head and legs, before ultimately caving to his passion for the sport.

Now he is all about bunny hops and homework.

"Only several riders in the nation can do these," he said, hinting at how BMX is still struggling to gain a foothold in this country of 1.3 billion.

Sun described his affair with cycling as a case of love at first sight. He was hooked from the moment he watched American riders perform at the annual X Games, sponsored by ESPN and aired here by a local television network.

He first taught himself basic skills gleaned from television and the Internet, then began practicing with riders who had got into the sport several years earlier.

"When we decide to get together to perform for the public, we hit the streets in Beijing, like Wangfujing, Chang'an and Xidan, before the street inspectors tell us to shove off," he said.

Comparing BMX to other extreme sports in China and abroad, Sun said the government was slow in promoting BMX and it is still an alien concept to much of the public.

"Many passers-by watch us messing about and think we're acrobats or clowns or something."

He said it was going to be a while before China, where BMX bikes can only be bought through overseas orders, catches up with the West.

"Foreign riders have lots of access to extreme sports venues and the freedom to receive sponsorship. That's why they're well ahead of us."

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