Chapter 405: A Manga Artist Who Doesn't Want to Be an Olympic Champion Is Not a Good Voice Actor

Chapter 405: A Manga Artist Who Doesn’t Want to Be an Olympic Champion Is Not a Good Voice Actor

For the South Korean judo team, this Olympic cycle was far easier than usual, for a simple reason: the judo powerhouse Japan, as the host of these Olympics, automatically secured full-level qualification slots. This was a boon for the South Korean judo team, competing in the same continental zone, as each level freed up one spot, allowing South Korea to respond more calmly.

Thus, the South Korean judo team obtained full-level Olympic qualification for both men and women, including the men’s heaviest weight class, over 100 kg. Kim Song-min, who had previously faced Meng Fan and, due to psychological trauma, dared not even make a move, still secured his spot. Though that match became the biggest joke in South Korean judo history, he was already ranked tenth at the time, and even without earning a single point thereafter, he could comfortably stay in the top sixteen.

In this continental qualification tournament, the mixed-gender team also reached the semifinals, securing their Olympic ticket just like the Chinese team.

As for Meng Fan, that fellow who had thrown the entire South Korean combat sports world—including both the wrestling and judo teams—into turmoil, let’s not even mention him. But what use was it to avoid mentioning him? Every time they participated in an international competition, he was right there in front of them, and even with their eyes closed, they could feel his presence. It was truly unbearable.

And now, in the semifinals, they had finally come up against the Chinese team.

They had secured their tickets, yes, but the ranking in this continental qualification tournament also affected the Olympic draw. They couldn’t just skip the match, could they?

“Coach, don’t put me in this match,” Kim Song-min said, his face looking worse than if he were crying. “Even if Meng Fan doesn’t compete, I don’t want to go on. Really, I have no competitive spirit right now!”

“...Get out! Get out of my sight right now!”

The South Korean judo head coach was furious. Without a doubt, Kim Song-min was the pillar of the South Korean judo team in the heavyweight division, originally meant to anchor the mixed-gender team in the 90 kg and above category—which included 100 kg and over 100 kg, where heavier weight naturally meant greater strength. Facing the Chinese team, he was utterly unreliable. He already had psychological trauma, and after the last Masters, it had only worsened. Last time, he could still step onto the mat; this time, he was outright forfeiting!

“Disgrace!”

Watching Kim Song-min’s retreating figure, the coach hurled the cup in his hand directly at him. Bang! It struck Kim Song-min square in the back, but he didn’t pause for even a step. There was anger in his heart, but not toward the coach, nor even toward Meng Fan—only toward himself.

“This disgrace, I will definitely remove him from the Olympic roster!”

The coach took the cup that an assistant had quickly retrieved and slammed it onto the table. This was no empty threat; Kim Song-min’s actions had severely damaged team morale. However, the only South Korean male judoka qualified for the Olympics in the heaviest weight class was him. Kicking him out would essentially waste a slot, and that required deliberation. But the team slot would certainly not be given to him.

Each weight class in the team event had two spots. There was definitely someone to replace Kim Song-min this time. As for the Olympics, they could add another competitor. Once the team secured qualification, substitutions were unrestricted, though the replacement would be far weaker in skill. But there was no other choice. Other teams could have let Kim Song-min compete while avoiding the Chinese team, but that would have been too damaging to morale!

Yet the reality was far crueler than the coach had imagined.

Although they had already secured qualification, Meng Fan still took the mat in the semifinals. The other South Korean heavyweight who faced him, just like Kim Song-min last time, dared not make a move. He accumulated enough penalty cards and lost the match, allowing Meng Fan to win without a fight!

Was that the cruelty?

No!

What baffled the South Korean coach was that in this team match, the entire South Korean team underperformed!

Even if they had conceded the men’s 90+ kg match, they still had over an 80% chance of winning the team match. Yet, the Chinese team beat them 4-0!

One could imagine the coach’s fury afterward.

But this matter was both related and unrelated to Meng Fan. He hadn’t actively done anything, not even releasing extra killing intent to affect the South Korean athletes’ state.

As for the real reason, it probably had to do with so-called strength. With Kim Song-min avoiding the match and Meng Fan competing for China, the scales tipped.

In the final match, their opponent was Kazakhstan, the runner-up in this event at the Asian Games. Kazakhstan’s overall strength was on par with Uzbekistan and similar to the Chinese judo team. They had been expected to dominate the men’s heavyweight division, but now Meng Fan had secured it. With the Chinese team riding a wave of momentum, the outcome was sealed.

Securing qualification was the Chinese judo team’s mission. To enter the Olympics as the top seed from the continental qualifiers, earning a better draw, was an unexpected bonus. Xiao Yunlin and the other coaches and athletes were naturally overjoyed.

For Meng Fan, it was also good news. At the very least, it meant one more match judgment and three more championship honor points, bringing his total to 34 points, a 17% increase. Every additional point meant an overall boost in his strength.

Xiao Yunlin was delighted, laughing heartily: “I’ll throw you a celebration banquet when we get back!”

“Don’t wait until we’re back—let’s do it here!”

The team members clamored. As luck would have it, one member mentioned seeing a poster for Shi Shiwu’s concert and asked Xiao Yunlin to somehow get them tickets. Since they couldn’t indulge in heavy food at the celebration banquet anyway, they might as well enjoy some music and relax.

“The concert is about to start—where am I supposed to get tickets!”

Xiao Yunlin said that, but in the end, he managed to secure the tickets.

News of Meng Fan’s qualification for the Olympic judo event and the Chinese judo team’s qualification for the team event quickly spread back to China, appearing in newspapers and online.

“Is there no end to this? Hahaha, how many Olympic qualifications is this for Meng Fan?”

“There’s a mixed-gender judo competition? Damn, that’s brutal! Even men can’t stop Meng Fan—are they going to use a honey trap?”

“Mixed-gender doesn’t mean men fighting women!”

“A free-for-all? Haha, then our team could just stand on the sidelines eating sunflower seeds while Meng Fan takes on everyone by himself!”

“Facepalm! You don’t even understand the format, and you’re talking nonsense! It’s clearly Meng Fan taking on all the male and female athletes from every participating country, like a united legion!”

“Enough talk—I’m buying tickets!”

“Buy my ass! Tickets for wrestling and judo are already sold out! If you’re quick, you might still grab tickets for weightlifting!”

“Damn, they’re really gone!”

“No tickets for judo is understandable—the Japanese definitely want to watch—but wrestling being sold out too is insane!”

“There are plenty of rich folks back home! No matter the event, as long as they can see the flag-raising, they’ll buy!”

“I envy the rich who can go abroad to watch the games!”

“Can’t get tickets, so I’ll just pre-order that magazine!”

Going back a bit in time, on April 15, *Marie Claire*’s official website and Weibo account released information about the May issue. The most important part was, of course, the cover star, and the May issue featured Meng Fan with a solo double cover.

Some fashion magazines release two cover versions, A and B, for each issue. Simply put, when you buy the magazine, you might get the A cover or the B cover. Covers can be solo, duo, or group. A solo double cover means both the A and B covers feature the same star, with different looks.

For renowned women’s magazines like *Marie Claire*, only ultra-A-list women typically enjoy the treatment of a solo double cover—it’s the highest honor for a magazine cover, aside from the September and October issues and anniversary editions.

Male stars rarely receive such treatment. Most often, it’s one solo cover and one duo or group cover. A solo double cover like Meng Fan’s is very rare.

For *Marie Claire*, Meng Fan might not be the first male to have a solo double cover, but he is definitely the first male athlete to do so. For context, the last athlete to have a solo double cover on *Marie Claire* was tennis star Li Na, and the last male star was the “Four-Character Brother.”

[*Marie Claire* Cover | Meng Fan: A Manga Artist Who Doesn’t Want to Be an Olympic Champion Is Not a Good Voice Actor]

Teaser: Meng Fan, a man who has brought countless surprises and emotions to the Chinese people. An athlete spanning weightlifting, wrestling, and judo; a manga artist serialized in Japan; a versatile voice actor... Before Meng Fan, it was impossible to imagine all these titles resting on one person. Some call him Asia’s strongest iron-tower man; others say he’s a sunny big boy with a devilish smile; still others describe him as a devoted lover who flaunts his romance at every opportunity. It’s hard to sum him up in a single word. If forced, it would be “tender toughness.”

The two cover versions: one shows Meng Fan training, holding a pair of terrifying dumbbells, drenched in sweat, with a resolute gaze, showcasing his powerful physique and overflowing with masculine hormones; the other shows Meng Fan petting a cat, with a black cat sleeping on his shoulder and a white cat in his arms, the white cat looking utterly content, while Meng Fan’s gaze is tender, a smile playing on his lips—super swoon-worthy!

Inside the magazine, there are many more photos of Meng Fan, ranging from athletic and gentle to gentlemanly and cold, among others.

The content about the cover star naturally covers many things about Meng Fan, with his love story with Wu Tong receiving special emphasis.

Of course, since it’s a fashion magazine, there’s definitely something fashion-related about Meng Fan as the cover star. Several photos of his everyday outfit combinations are hailed as classic examples of tough-guy dressing—these were, of course, styled by the wardrobe team during the shoot.

Additionally, whether on the cover or in the accompanying photos, the core is still Meng Fan’s looks and charm. Everything else is mostly built around this core. Under the lens, Meng Fan’s appearance and charisma alone can overshadow many things.

The official website and Weibo account released the information and teaser (along with a few photos), and it instantly trended. After the magazine hit the shelves, pre-orders soared. Many female fans bought it purely for the looks and charm, intending to collect it.

Meanwhile, Hu Yijing soon received various calls with invitations.

(End of chapter)