Chongqing - As the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou drew to a close on October 8, Chongqing’s athletes achieved a remarkable feat, securing a historic medal haul. The city’s athletes collectively earned five gold, two silver, and one bronze, making this the most outstanding performance in Chongqing’s Asian Games history. Behind these remarkable achievements lies a tale of relentless training and unwavering spirit.
Liu Jiangchi: the champion skin
Liu Jiangchi competes during Men’s Team Skeet-75 of Shooting at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, September 26, 2023. (Photo/Xinhua)
On September 27, Chongqing’s shooter, Liu Jiangchi, claimed Chongqing’s first gold medal in the Men’s Skeet Team Final. The next day, he added a bronze in the mixed doubles event. Clutching his medals, Liu Jiangchi humbly remarked, “This is the heaviest medal I’ve ever won.”
Fifteen years of rigorous training under the sun and wind left Liu Jiangchi with tanned skin, particularly evident on his arms. His dedication is evident in the hours spent at the shooting range from 8 AM to 5 PM, enduring grueling conditions.
The unyielding pursuit bore fruit, and Liu Jiangchi earned himself the title of having “champion skin” at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
“Battling the elements is tough and exhausting,” Liu Jiangchi noted, emphasizing the immense mental and physical exertion shooting athletes face. He expressed profound gratitude to his family for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
He Feng: battling adversity
On September 28, a post-2000s generation wushu sanda athlete from Chongqing, He Feng, makes a stunning comeback, defeating the three-time Asian Games champion at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. (Photo/Qian Bo)
He Feng, a post-2000s generation wushu sanda athlete from Chongqing, achieved a stunning comeback, defeating the three-time Asian Games champion on September 28, securing Chongqing’s first Asian Games gold in sanda. He revealed hands with swollen joints from years of training, stating, “Sometimes, after intense training, my hands shake so much that I can’t even hold chopsticks properly.”
He Feng’s dedication was evident in his recovery from a leg injury during the semifinals, showing true grit in the finals. He emphasized the importance of persevering through hardships and shared his motivational mantra: “What hurts more, the effort or the regret?”
During his preparations, He Feng often shared his training sessions on his social media, and his favorite activity was taking off his sweat-soaked training gear and wringing it out over a bucket. “Sweat will never betray your hard work,” he stated.
Wang Yingying: fencing her way to glory
On September 28, Wang Yingying and her three teammates defeated Singapore, Japan, and South Korea to win gold in the women’s team foil final at the Hangzhou Asian Games. (Photo/Xinhua)
On September 28, Wang Yingying and her teammates clinched gold in the women’s team foil final at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Despite her initial anxiety, she demonstrated her skills and uniqueness in the match. Wang emphasized the importance of unity in team events. She displayed calloused palms and battle-worn fingertips, acknowledging the sacrifices that come with the sport. However, she accepted it willingly, saying, “This is what comes with the territory. It’s only natural.”
She enjoys looking good and sometimes doing her nails, “It lifts my spirits and carries that good mood to the training and competition.” This time, Wang Yingying didn’t have her nails done; she focused solely on preparation and competition at the Asian Games. Wang’s next goal is to compete in the Paris Olympics and the 2025 National Games.
He Xianghong: resilience in race walking
On October 4, He Xianghong and his teammates won the gold medal in the Mixed 35km Race Walking Final at the Hangzhou Asian Games. (Photo/Qian Bo)
On October 4, He Xianghong and his teammates won gold in the Mixed 35km Race Walking Final. He revealed deformed toes and toenails as a testament to the pain endured in intense races. He explained that such discomfort is common for the course, saying, “As long as I can move forward, I’ll keep pushing.”
He’s journey included an audacious challenge in the 50km race, which requires a foundation of two years of training. Despite having only nine months of preparation, his determination led him to secure a silver medal at the 14th National Games.
To He Xianghong, the biggest challenge is defeating himself. “In more than ten years of my athletic career, I’ve never felt how difficult it is.”
With this determination, He broke the Asian record in the Men’s 35km Race Walking in March 2023, achieving the world’s best result this year. He’s now considered the future of race walking in China.
Tan Zhongyi: female chess players’ infinite possibilities
On October 7, Tan Zhongyi and her teammates won the women’s team chess event at the Hangzhou Asian Games. (Photo/Liu Li)
The women’s team chess event concluded on October 7, with Tan Zhongyi and her teammates winning gold. This marked Tan’s first Asian Games gold medal and Chongqing’s fifth gold in this edition.
Tan Zhongyi excelled on the Asian Games stage, and her head featured a distinctive black-and-white checkered hairpin. As a chess player herself, she appreciated the chess-themed accessory, and the hairpin stays with her in her battles in the chess arena.
Entering the national team at age ten and starting her professional career at 11, Tan Zhongyi, at 26, became Chongqing’s first, China’s fifth, and the world’s 16th champion in the Women’s World Chess Championship. Now at 32, Tan Zhongyi remains determined to achieve more in her career and continues to compete in the world of chess, shattering age-related and gender-related stereotypes. Her focus is on self-improvement rather than comparisons with others.