BEIJING, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Qieyang Shijie, the first ethnic Tibetan who won the sliver medal at the London Olympics women's 20km race walk for China, is training in Italy during the Tibetan and Chinese New Year for better performance in 2018.

"Competitive sports are tough, and I hope I could improve in the new year," said Qieyang who comes from Haiyan County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai province. and her parents are both herders.

This year is special as the Tibetan New Year coincides with the Chinese New Year. In her hometown, Tibetans usually preserve the tradition of eating meat, drinking barley wine as well as offering a lucky Khata to friends.

"Far away from home, but I have already sent my sincere blessings to my family by video. My parents did a lot for me these years, and I wish them all the best," Qieyang said.

Qieyang started her training in Saluzzo, Italy, on Dec. 18, 2017, along with the Chinese national track and field team.

"I walk at least 20 kilometers every day, and the longest walking is nearly 40km, which gives me a sense of fulfilment," she said.

This training will run to the end of February.

This March, she will participate in the World Cup trials held in Huangshan, Anhui Province, "I will prove myself with grades," she said.