Chongqing - The night of August 3 was one to remember for Chinese tennis fans. The 21-year-old prodigy Zheng Qinwen clinched the Olympic women's singles gold medal, marking a historic first for China in this category.
As Zheng celebrated her victory, high-fiving team members and waving the Chinese national flag, a sophomore from Southwest University, Xiao Lin'ang, was among those cheering her on. Behind this 16th gold medal for China lies a remarkable story of dedication, including contributions from this young student from Chongqing.
Zheng Qinwen (R) and Xiao Lin'ang. (Photo/Xiao Lin'ang)
Xiao Lin'ang has been Zheng Qinwen's dedicated sparring partner since the Asian Games, accompanying her on a challenging journey. Zheng's unique playing style, often described as more masculine, requires a sparring partner with matching technical abilities and adaptability. Xiao's exceptional skills and ball control made him an ideal fit. Recommended by a coach from the Shanghai team last September, Xiao began training with Zheng in preparation for the Asian Games. Their synergy was so effective that in June, Xiao was again invited to assist Zheng in her Olympic preparations, traveling to Paris and witnessing her path to victory.
Reflecting on his experience, Xiao expressed pride in supporting an Olympic champion and witnessing the growth of Chinese tennis. "It's a rare experience to support an Olympic champion like Zheng Qinwen and see the development of Chinese tennis firsthand," Xiao said.
Describing Zheng with the words "dedicated," "hardworking," and "confident," Xiao noted her relentless training ethic. "She never ends a training session on her own," he said. While typical training lasts 2-3 hours, Zheng consistently pushes for more, always seeking to improve.
From their first meeting, Zheng made it clear that she wanted no easy shots during practice. Xiao was impressed by her discipline, both in training and diet, which mainly consisted of salad, chicken breast, and white rice. "Her focus and dedication are unparalleled," he said.
Zheng Qinwen of China celebrates after the women's singles gold medal tennis match against Donna Vekic of Croatia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on August 3024. (Photo/Wan Xiang, Xinhua)
Last September, just before the Asian Games, Zheng’s technical coach left, leaving her to train alone. Despite this setback, her formidable skills led her to victory. By June, when Xiao resumed his role as her sparring partner, he observed not only technical improvements but also significant growth in her mental resilience.
"Her performance in the Olympic rounds, especially in the critical stages from the top 16 to the final four, showcased her ability to maintain composure and turn the game around even when the odds were against her," Xiao said. Despite pre-Olympic uncertainties, Zheng's strength, stable mindset, and tactical precision carried her to gold.
In June 2023, Xiao was one of two tennis players included in the list for undergraduate recommendations released by the Science and Education Department of the General Administration of Sport of China, earning a place at Southwest University, while Zheng Qinwen was admitted to Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
Xiao Lin'ang is training. (Photo/Xiao Lin'ang)
When asked why he chose Chongqing, Xiao credited Southwest University’s strong tennis program and the city's rich culture and cuisine.
Established in 2006, Southwest University's tennis team has won over 30 gold and silver medals in national college championships and more than 10 in international competitions, illustrating its exceptional training environment.
Xiao Lin'ang's journey from a six-year-old tennis enthusiast to a key player in China's historic Olympic win reflects the spirit of dedication and teamwork that drives sports excellence. He now looks forward to competing internationally and hopes to one day stand on the Olympic stage, bringing glory to China.
(Qin Sisi, a Chinese reporter from CQNEWS, also contributed to this article.)