Paul and I were on our school basketball team, The Lions. We     1     (love) basketball and were both huge fans of the NBA. My favorite player was LeBron James. Paul’s favorite player was Tyrone Bogues, a guy     2     played for the Charlottee Hornets, although we     3     (actual) agree that they are both champions.

Bogues was only 1.6 metres tall, which made him the     4     (short) player ever in the NBA. Paul was only 1.6 metres tall, too! During all those hours of doing jump shots     5     his own, he used Bogues as his     6     (inspire). Paul once said. “If Bogues could make     7    , why not me?”

Our coach was not so sure. Paul had to try out many times just for     8     (make) the team. He was still usually on the bench,     9     was really tough on him. Everyone knew Paul had real skills, and was someone who worked really hard and had a strong desire to play for     10     team. However. Paul didn’t get a chance.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, China’s sprinter (短跑运动员) Su Bingtian made history by     1     (become) the first Chinese athlete (运动员) to make it to the final of men’s 100m Olympic event.

“I’m very     2     (excite) to be in the 100m final. Stepping on the track has realized my dream.” Su said after the race. Su has set     3       Asian record of 9.83 seconds,     4     is also the best performance for the Chinese on the world stage.

“London 2012 was my first Olympics. I was just a young man eager to become one of the top     5     (athlete).     6     (lucky), perseverance (坚持) helps me prepare     7     the game and with my determination, I make my dream come true. I feel more confident than I used to be. It is a breakthrough for me     8     (complete) the semi-final at that time.” Because of his excellent performance, Su, titled the “Asian flying man”, was chosen as the flag-bearer for the Chinese delegation at the closing ceremony of the games on Aug 8.

Su’s great success    9     (inspire) more Chinese athletes and teenagers to improve    10     (they) since he lowered the Asian 100m record to 9.83 seconds.