"Couldn’t Endure Coach’s Abuse, Jumped From the Fourth Floor" – Tragedy of a 13-Year-Old Gymnastics Prospect in China

According to The Financial News, a 13-year-old gymnastics prospect in China is alleged to have jumped from a building after being unable to endure severe abuse by her coaching staff, sparking public outrage. The girl’s mother has accused the coaches of assault and extortion and is calling for a full investigation.
On the 10th, local media and social networking services reported that a user with the ID "Youmiaya" claimed her daughter had been subjected to prolonged beatings and threats by a coach before jumping from the fourth floor. The case has sent shockwaves through the local sports community.
Local outlets including Sina Sports reported that the victim is 13-year-old Pu Zhalie, a member of the gymnastics team at a Sports Vocational and Technical School in Zhejiang Province. Pu Zhalie’s mother asserted that her daughter was repeatedly abused and pressured for money by head coach Tang Yan and assistant coach Si Zhe.
Amid this suffering, Pu Zhalie jumped from the fourth floor on November 25 last year. She survived, but doctors reportedly found serious damage to her lungs, ribs, spleen, and liver, warning that she may face lifelong aftereffects.
The mother criticized the school, saying it refused to release closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage after the incident and delayed paying for surgery costs, effectively trying to cover up what happened. She also presented records showing she had transferred 1,000 Chinese yuan (renminbi) to coach Tang Yan and 1,000 Chinese yuan twice to coach Si Zhe as evidence of the alleged extortion.
An audio message in which coach Tang Yan can be heard saying, "Let’s collect money to buy gifts for the judges," was also made public.
Through online posts, the mother demanded several actions: clarification of the facts through media coverage and advance payment of surgery costs, a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities and revocation of the coaches’ qualifications, and the release of the full CCTV footage. Local internet users said the facts must first be established, but also stressed that the young athlete needs proper medical treatment and that a rigorous investigation is essential.
Pu Zhalie was known as a rising star, having won the all-around silver medal in the 10-year-old division at the 2022 National Junior Gymnastics Series and the all-around title at the Zhejiang Women’s Gymnastics Championships. Sina Sports noted, "At 13, Pu Zhalie is an athlete of exceptional talent," and added with regret, "After such a scandal, it remains a big question whether she will be able to continue in gymnastics."
hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter