Fu Yuanhui receives her bronze medal for the women's 100m backstroke in Rio 2016 Olympics. File photo.

Chinese swimming sensation Fu Yuanhui has earned plaudits from global media and Internet users for breaking the sporting taboo of discussing menstruation.

Fu, whose frank yet theatrical post-race interviews have transformed her into a national hero, made news again for her remarks on Sunday after her team came in fourth place in the 4x100m medley relay.

“I don't think I performed very well today. I feel I let my teammates down. It’s because my period came yesterday, so I felt particularly tired – but this isn’t an excuse, I still didn’t swim well enough,” a visibly pained Fu told state broadcaster CCTV in a brief poolside conversation following the race.

Her candor and openness about menstruation, which is still regarded by many as a taboo topic, immediately attracted a deluge of praise from global media, feminist organizations and individual netizens.

A CNN story published on Aug. 17 passionately commended the innocent brilliance of Fu, and thanked her for “standing up and daring to be a whole woman who embraces her femininity.” British newspaper The Guardian gave her two thumbs up for breaking the sporting taboo of discussing menstruation.

British newspaper The Guardian gave her all thumbs-up for breaking the sporting taboo of discussing menstruation.

Feminism Around the World, a weekly feature of U.S.-based website themarysue.com, hailed Fu as "a hero of feminism."

Melinda Gates, wife of Bill Gates, even posted a link to a New York Time’s story about the candid interview on her Twitter.