SHENYANG, China, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Once a sparring partner, Ma Yingnan has come far to win gold at the National Games of China.

Ma, who became a formal judoka only three years ago, upstaged London Olympian He Hongmei with an ippon in the final of the women's 52kg class on Sunday.

"She is a more experienced player. She's been to the Olympics," Ma said of her national teammate He Hongmei. "But after a few years of proper practice, I am able to beat her."

Ma, 29, spent nearly 10 years as a sparring partner in Liaoning provincial team and was given a new lease of life until she met coach Leng Chunhui in 2010.

"Coach Leng changed my life," said Ma. "From the first day she devoted all her time to my training, so I tell myselt not to disappoint her."

Under Leng's guidance, Ma started to shine, winning at the 2011 national championships and 2012 IJF Grand Prix in Qingdao.

Now a regular player on the national team and the National Games champion, Ma has a good chance to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games.

"Competing at the Olympics has been a dream since I was a little girl," she said.