The stage is set for two unforgettable weeks of competition and celebration in Paris, with the world’s best athletes gathered together.
As a global merchant and processor of food and agricultural products, committed to supplying nutritious products for millions of people around the world, including athletes, Louis Dreyfus Company’s Mastergold cooking oil is sponsoring the judo team from Tianjin, as they head to the games.
During a break in her training schedule, judoka Tang Jing took the time to speak with us. Let’s find out how she prepares to compete on the world’s largest stage!
Are you ready for the competition? How are you feeling?
My overall condition is quite good. It’s natural to feel a bit nervous during this preparation stage, but the anxiety lessens as I immerse myself in intense training. When I’m truly focused, the potential future results become less of a concern; instead, I concentrate on perfecting my performance and developing strategies to tackle any challenge. I channel my desire to win into fueling my fighting spirit, all while maintaining a calm and rational mindset. I’m grateful for the support and blessings I’ve received, as I strive to achieve the best possible results on the field!
How have you prepared for the competition?
My preparation focuses on regular strength and technique training. As we get closer to the competition, we emphasize the basics, such as posture and core strength. Judo competitions are strict about weight, so we also weigh ourselves before and after every meal to ensure we meet the requirements, being mindful of our calorie intake to ensure it’s neither too high nor too low.
What do you consume during training, to maintain energy and meet weight requirements?
For us athletes, our primary concern is to ensure a balanced diet, including consuming complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes. These foods provide a steady release of energy and are rich in fibers, vitamins and minerals. That’s why when people “avoid carbs,” it is unscientific. Fats are also indispensable, from sources like Mastergold cooking oil, refined from various grains to provide rich nutrition. We should not consume too much fat, and it’s important to choose the right quality and profile, such as Mastergold’s corn oil, which is rich in plant sterols and helps protect cardio wellbeing during heavy training. We also need to avoid eating too many snacks, so I might replace these with fruits and fruit juices. To replenish necessary energy and minerals, I sometimes drink diluted orange juice, which contains vitamins and citric acid that help alleviate fatigue.
Like many athletes, I also have a cup of coffee every day, to help maintain vitality during intense training. Also, because I love coffee!
What motivates you most about your profession?
Well firstly, as a Chinese athlete, I want to bring victory to my country, showing China’s strength to the world. That goal constantly motivates me in day-to-day training. Meanwhile, as a judoka, I also have the duty to practice the judo spirit, “Seiryoku-zenyo, Jita-kyoei,” – not only to perform during the competition, but also as a philosophy to be followed in daily life. It means making rational use of time and energy on important matters, like training, and being grateful for the people and support around me. This motivates me to train hard and not let my support team down.
What would you like to say to your supporters?
I would like to express my gratitude for your support, which has fueled my journey to the games in Paris. I promise to keep training hard and strive for results that will make you all proud. I’m also cheering on our entire Chinese team and hoping to win victory for our country by working hard together! Finally, I want to thank Mastergold cooking oil for supporting us in pursuing our dreams.
