'I am really good looking', Chinese track and field star Wu Yanni responds to plastic surgery rumors

Alongside her achievements on the track, Wu has often been criticized for wearing heavy makeup during competitions and faced speculation about cosmetic enhancements.

"I think I am beautiful when I wear make-up," she said in an interview with Yitiao. "I enjoy trying different make-up looks and styles. When people say that I have had plastic surgery, I actually take it as a form of recognition of my beauty.

"Just proves that I am really good looking, right? That is why they are saying I have had plastic surgery. Agree? Nods!"

Wu Yanni during an event. Photo by Instagram/@wuyanni_jennie

The 28-year-old sent a message of empowerment to young women: "That is why I want to tell every girl, do not pay attention to anyone else. Do what makes you feel beautiful."

Wu credited her independent spirit and inner strength to her grandfather, who raised her from just three days old after her mother suffered severe post-partum bleeding, as he taught her to love herself and to achieve what she want through hard work.

Her pre-competition ritual, which includes pointing to the sky, has also drawn public scrutiny, with some mocking it as a "witch's gesture."

"It is actually a connection between me and my grandpa. I point to the sky, hoping he blesses me to perform well in the competition," she said.

Wu Yanni during her pre-competition ritual. Photo by Instagram/@wuyanni_jennie

Her remarks sparked heated debate online, with supporters praising her confidence.

One fan commented: "I hope my daughter can be as strong as Wu Yanni!"

Another wrote: "This girl has great results, her cosmetic surgery looks good, and she has a vibrant personality. So what if she made a few hand gestures during the competition?"

Critics, however, argued that accusations of plastic surgery were not praises.

"When people say she has had plastic surgery, it is not a compliment. They are pointing out how much her appearance has changed since her debut," one user wrote.

Wu is currently China's top female hurdler. She holds the national 60m hurdles record of 8.01 seconds, set at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing in March 2025. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she ran the 100m hurdles in 12.97 seconds, the best result by a Chinese athlete in the event at an Olympics.

On Aug. 4, she continued her dominance by winning gold in the 100m hurdles at the national championship in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province. Wu has also claimed national titles in the event in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024.