Among all of the Chinese athletes, the 22-year-old orienteering specialist Luo Qiong tends to stand out — with voluminous, fiery red curls reminiscent of Merida from the Disney movie Brave, sun-kissed skin and bright, expressive eyes.

At August's Chengdu World Games, she placed 17th in the women's middle-distance foot orienteering event — the highest finish among all Asian competitors, and China's best-ever result in the discipline at the Games.

It's hard to imagine that this beaming woman of the Yi ethic group, radiant with youthful energy, was once an introverted and insecure high school girl. She used to struggle with acne, and would burst into tears when her short, curly hair became so tangled and unmanageable that she called it a "cowpat".

Everything changed in 2022, during her freshman year, when she discovered orienteering — a sport she admits she'd never heard of before.

After enrolling at Sichuan Tourism University, she found herself with more free time than she'd ever had in high school, and often felt adrift.

Then, an upperclassman invited her to join the university's orienteering club.

Before the entrance test, she trained with the team and was immediately drawn to the close-knit, family-like atmosphere.

"The seniors were incredibly warm, and took great care of us freshmen. We often ate together, played Frisbee and board games, and went trail running in the mountains on weekends. Anything was fun as long as we were together," she recalled.

The entry benchmark was running five kilometers in under 25 minutes.

Luo, who'd practiced aerobics before university, had never run that far continuously. But, captivated by the club's vibe, she was determined to try.

She trained hard every day on the track, eventually clocking 23 minutes in the test — officially entering the niche sport that blends pacing, navigation, fitness and decision-making.

Orienteerers navigate unfamiliar terrain using a detailed map and a compass to locate hidden control points. The core challenge lies in making rapid strategic decisions — choosing efficient routes, interpreting terrain, balancing speed and accuracy — all while pushing through varied landscapes to complete the course swiftly and precisely.

"It's a sport that truly tests your patience and resilience," said Luo.

"Races rarely go perfectly. I often take a wrong route. What matters is whether you can stay calm after making a mistake and readjust quickly."

She admitted that, early on, a wrong turn would fluster her and ruin the rest of her race. "But, after more than three years, I've learned to accept errors, correct them immediately, and move on. That's the best way to recover." Her efforts gradually paid off.

At a national competition in 2024, she took second place in the elite sprint event, earning a spot on the national team.

"An orienteerer's ceiling depends on physical fitness. Luo is a new-generation talent on our team. Her stamina, endurance and speed give her an edge among her female teammates. We have high hopes for her," said Liang Xiyuan, coach of the Chinese national team.

He noted that the Chinese team is competitive in sprint events in Asia, but still trails traditional powerhouses like Switzerland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

The Chengdu Games were Luo's first international competition, and the Sichuan province native observed how top foreign athletes remained intensely focused during races, yet were relaxed off the field.

"They all seemed happy and truly enjoyed competing. It shattered my stereotype of athletes," she said. "I want to be a happy athlete too."

In the year since joining the national team, she has traveled extensively for training and competitions.

"I love exploring new places. As my skills improve, I get to train in more locations and experience new things."

Now, her World Games performance has brought her into the spotlight.

She's often recognized by people in her everyday life, has secured commercial endorsements and frequently receives compliments on her looks — which she accepts with a confident smile.

"In high school, I worked hard but was still average — my grades were middling, teachers didn't notice me. I never thought I was pretty back then.

It wasn't until university when I found orienteering, a sport that suits me. It taught me the life lessons to just solve problems and move on, and the philosophy that there's no need to overthink things or hold myself back."

Even now, she still occasionally gets acne flare-ups.

"But It doesn't bother me anymore."

xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn