"Sports can give not only good health but also build a brave heart, to face challenges and new things in life," she adds.

Chen then went on to become vice-captain of the Fujian women's soccer team in the 7th National Games in 1993, after which she tried a new sport, taekwondo, and ranked third in an inaugural national-level championship in 1995.

Her luminous career in sports now includes the high point of introducing floorball to students in thousands of schools nationwide.

Time flies, with Chen's identity turning from a young girl playing soccer to strengthen her constitution to a professional athlete, to a university teacher using physical education to help improve others, and now to a promoter of floorball.

"One day, sports will give back to you and tell you everything is possible," she says.

Wu Qiling and Jiang Duo contributed to this story.