TANG MUHAN, a Shenzhen athlete who won the gold medal in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay at the Tokyo Olympics, is gearing up for China’s 14th National Games after returning to Guangdong Province on Aug. 24, Shenzhen Evening News reported.

The Olympic swimmer, who just turned 18 Saturday, is currently training at Guangdong Province Ersha Sports Training Center.

To celebrate Tang’s birthday, the Ersha sports training center, Shenzhen swimming team, Tang’s alma mater Shenzhen Longgang Second Vocational School and her relatives and friends recorded a 5-minute video to send her wishes, as well as some interesting outtakes taken during the birthday celebration.

Yang Liping, Tang’s chief coach and head coach of the Guangdong swimming team, said Tang received a bundle of birthday blessings from coaches and swimmers, who came to the training center to celebrate her birthday, sang the birthday song, and prepared flowers and birthday cards for her.

Yang said that he had bought Tang a 5-pound (2.3-kilogram) cake and fulfilled the promise he made to her before the Tokyo Olympics.

“This is the most special and happiest birthday I have had in 18 years,” Tang was quoted as saying. “I hope I can stay away from injuries, prolong my sports career and compete for more honors.”

According to Yang, Tang persisted in physical training to stay on top form during her medical observation period after returning from Japan.

The short interval between the Olympic Games and the National Games is a great test of athletes’ physical recovery abilities. Tang was very strict with herself and took the initiative to increase the amount of training, including water and strength practice, said Yang.

“I’m going to compete at the National Games for the first time. I’m very excited. Each game is very important so I can’t relax in my efforts,” Tang said.

Tang will compete in the women’s 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle, as well as the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay at the 14th National Games, which will be held in Shaanxi Province from Sept. 15 to 27. (Zhang Yu)