Chinese athlete Wu Yanni has sparked controversy on social media regarding cosmetic procedures.

The heated discussions prompted the 28-year-old to declare: “I look good, that’s why people say I’ve had plastic surgery!”

A multiple Chinese champion and national record holder in the 100m hurdles, Wu Yanni was born in 1997 in Zigong. She has been dubbed the ‘Chinese Goddess of Athletics’ due to her outgoing personality and tattoos, which she says symbolise self-confidence.

Faith Kipyegon has hinted at a major change in her career while keeping the exact timing under wraps.

Last year, at the Paris Olympic Games, Wu Yanni achieved China’s best Olympic performance in the 100m hurdles, clocking a time of 12.97 seconds.

In March of this year, she broke the national record in the 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing with a time of 8.01 seconds.

Alongside her track achievements, Wu has faced online criticism. Critics have commented on her makeup during competitions and questioned whether she has undergone cosmetic surgery.

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“I feel more beautiful when I wear makeup. I like to try different styles. When people say I’ve had work done, I take it as a compliment,” the athlete stated as quoted by the South China Morning Post.

“All this talk just proves I look good, doesn’t it? That’s why people are saying I’ve had plastic surgery,” she added.

Wu also shared that her grandfather instilled her self-confidence, teaching her “to love herself and achieve everything she desires through hard work and honesty.”

Jamaican sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has given reasons which makes her feel she made that right move by changing coaches late last year.

The young athlete revealed that her mother suffered a severe haemorrhage for three days after her birth and that her grandfather cared for her in her early life.

This is not the first controversy surrounding Wu Yanni. She has previously been criticized for her pre-race ritual of pointing a finger upwards, which some have compared to “a witch talking to the air.”

“Actually, it’s my connection to my grandfather. I point to the heavens hoping he’ll bless me and I’ll shine in the competition,” Wu Yanni explained.

Currently training for the National Championships, Wu offered words of encouragement to young women seeking their individuality and redefining beauty on their own terms.

“I tell all girls to ignore everyone else. Do whatever makes you feel beautiful,” she urged.

This encouragement sparked further debate online. One fan wrote: “I hope my daughter grows up to be as strong as Wu Yanni!”

“This girl has incredible results, any cosmetic procedures are her business. She has a vibrant personality. What’s the problem with a hand gesture during competition?” another questioned.

Another person posted: “When people say she’s had cosmetic surgery, it’s not a compliment. They’re just pointing out how much she’s changed her appearance since her debut.”

Wu Yanni started her season indoors before proceeding to her outdoor campaign, which kicked off at the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen before she competed in Keqiao.

Yanni then won a bronze medal at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships before competing at the Chinese Championships.