
Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui has won herself plenty of new fans from around the globe with her delightfully candid interview at the Rio Olympics.
20-year-old Fu Yuanhui refreshingly shows some raw emotion after her 100m backstroke semi-final and perhaps claims the most adorable interview of the Rio Olympics so far. You won’t hear any clichés in this interview, just pure personality and a bit of “Chinese Internet slang”.
Watch the interview here:
With her mouth wide open and eyes darting around like a puppy that’s found a new toy, Fu Yuanhui seems genuinely surprised as she’s told by the interviewer that she swam a time under 59 seconds.
“I swam so fast!” says Fu Yuanhui.
And she doesn’t mind letting the world know her real feelings when asked if she held back in the race.
“I didn’t hold back, I already used all of my mystic energy,” Fu Yuanhui replies with a goofy beaming smile.
Fu Yuanhui goes on to give a heartfelt explanation of how hard it has been for her to make the Rio Olympics saying:
“It’s truly been so hard. I really felt as if I wouldn’t make it. At times I felt like living was no better than death. But I’m so pleased with today’s result!”
When asked if she has any hopes for the final Fu Yuanhui replies:
“None! I’m already so pleased!”
The exuberant Fu Yuanhui then runs off to the change rooms with a quiet scream.
Here is what some people have been saying about Fu Yuanhui:
“This girl is too cute in her reaction LOL. The scream at the end was my fave.”
“I think this video explains the true meaning of Olympics. Not the idea of winning a gold medal or anything, but just knowing you made it that far.”
“So terribly cute, I see her happy funny soul!”
“Loved it. She is happy about her results. I am happy for her. This is what the Olympics are all about.”
“So adorbs, probs my same reaction if i get an A in my major class.”
“She’s my spirit animal. Love how happy she is. Stupid reporter shouldn’t tell her to calm down.”
Fu Yuanhui went on to take the bronze medal in the 100m backstroke final. She may not have won the gold in the pool but she definitely won over a lot of hearts around the world.
Here are a some more of Fu Yuanhui’s adorable antics that have been circulating online:
这个妹子画风有点不一样.. pic.twitter.com/vlcDlx6BXv
— 奶酥 (@PiliPiliNai) August 8, 2016
นางตลกอ่ะ มีความเป็นตัวของตัวเองมาก555555
— Falling Rain ☔️ (@Rita_Rainy) August 8, 2016
GIFนางฮาทุกอัน#FuYuanhui #swimmer pic.twitter.com/FDiNnYg22x
We’ve long ago accepted the fact that anime characters aren’t real, but Fu Yuanhui is starting to make us think we jumped to conclusions too soon. Here’s to her continued success both in the pool and on our screens!
Sources: YOMYOMF, Facebook/PropellerTV
Images: Facebook/PropellerTV



13-year-old Japanese girl becomes first-ever women’s skateboarding Olympic gold medalist【Video】
Olympic gold medalist skateboarder wears a kimono on the half-pipe【Video】
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events