English Teacher Turned Marathon Sensation: Liu Xiaoyan's Humble Request Sparks Online Frenzy
Liu Xiaoyan, a renowned English teacher specializing in preparation for the Chinese postgraduate entrance exams, has recently gained widespread attention for her remarkable marathon achievement. With a background in education, Liu Xiaoyan has built a reputation as a charismatic and unorthodox teacher, beloved by her students for her distinctive teaching style and "tough love" approach. Her courses are highly sought after, and she has become an internet sensation, with many students sharing clips of her classes and creating humorous memes and jokes based on her teaching content.
13 March 2025
Born with the name Wang Meihua, Liu Xiaoyan graduated from Shangqiu Normal University in Henan Province and later earned her master's degree from Guizhou University. She has spent years focusing on teaching English for the postgraduate entrance exams and has worked at the prestigious New Oriental Education & Technology Group in Chongqing. Her unique teaching style, which combines humor with straightforward advice, has helped her build a massive following among students. Liu Xiaoyan is aware of the challenges university students face and aims to motivate them through humor, inspiring them to work harder and develop a passion for learning.
In January, Liu Xiaoyan mistakenly claimed to have completed a marathon in "2 minutes and 20 seconds" due to exhaustion and other factors, sparking online ridicule and earning her the nickname "Magnetic Levitation XiaoYan" and "Revival Train Teacher Liu." She later clarified that she intended to say "2 hours and 20 minutes," attributing her mistake to her dazed state after the marathon. On March 13, Liu Xiaoyan posted another video, asking her students to stop promoting her supposed marathon time of "2 minutes and 20 seconds." The Lanzhou Marathon organizing committee took notice and invited her to participate in their May event, encouraging her to break the record. Liu Xiaoyan responded, expressing gratitude and confirming her participation, while also setting a goal to improve her speed by 10 minutes.
The reaction from netizens has been extremely enthusiastic, with many taking to social media to express their astonishment at Liu Xiaoyan's incredible marathon time. They have also been praising her for her humility and sense of humor in asking people not to publicize her achievement, showcasing her down-to-earth personality. Despite her request for privacy, Liu Xiaoyan's name and remarkable time have become buzzwords online, inspiring discussions about the sport, humility, and the effects of social media on personal privacy. This phenomenon has not only brought more attention to the marathon community but has also highlighted the complexities of fame, sports, and the digital age.
Liu Xiaoyan's foray into marathon running has added another dimension to her public persona. Through her marathon endeavors, Liu Xiaoyan aims not only to challenge herself but also to encourage her students to engage in physical activity, fostering a balanced approach to academics and personal well-being. As she prepares to participate in the Lanzhou Marathon, Liu Xiaoyan hopes to improve her performance by 10 minutes, demonstrating her commitment to self-improvement and her desire to inspire her students to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The social impact of Liu Xiaoyan's request not to publicize her marathon achievement has been profound, sparking widespread interest in marathon running and inadvertently making her an internet sensation.
