The streets of Paris' iconic Place de la Concorde witnessed the inaugural Olympic skateboarding event on Friday evening, marking a historic moment for Chinese athletes Zeng Wenhui, Zhu Yuanling, and Cui Chenxi. In the women's street skateboarding preliminary round, Cui Chenxi secured a spot in the finals with an impressive third-place finish, while Zhu Yuanling and Zeng Wenhui placed ninth and twelfth respectively, narrowly missing out on the final.
Chinese skaters Zhu Yuanling, Zeng Wenhui and Cui Chenxi (from left to right), who qualified for the women's street skateboarding at the Paris Olympics through the qualifying series, pose for a group photo at the award ceremony. (Photo: Xinhua)
Zeng Wenhui and Zhu Yuanling, both from Guangning, Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, have carved unique paths in skateboarding, much like the daring flips and spins they execute on their boards. Their journeys from a rural town to the global stage are as remarkable as any Olympic achievement.
Serendipity leading to their sporting paths
China's skateboarding team at the Paris Olympics includes four athletes, with Zeng and Zhu standing out as late starters compared to their teammates Cui Chenxi and Zheng Haohao, who specialize in bowl skating. Their hometown of Guangning is renowned as one of China's first "martial arts towns," with a rich history of martial arts dating back 2,000 years. Zeng, who grew up amidst the sounds of martial arts training and lion dances, began her journey with a strict father who emphasized dedication and discipline. Zhu's sporting odyssey began more unexpectedly when she was spotted by a trampoline coach for her athleticism and flexibility during a summer camp.
Embracing the thrill of new challenges
With backgrounds in martial arts and trampolining, Zeng and Zhu found their niche in skateboarding when the sport was included in the Olympic program in 2016. As China's skateboarding team prepared for the Tokyo Olympics, they scoured the country for talented athletes, eventually discovering Zeng and Zhu in Zhaoqing. Zeng, who had already excelled in longquan, swordplay, and spear fighting, found skateboarding to be a fresh and exciting challenge. Zhu, who had never seen a skateboard before joining the national team, was drawn to the sport's thrill, and her trampoline skills proved to be a valuable asset.
Chinese skater Zhu Yuanling competes in the women's street skateboarding preliminary round at the Paris Olympics on July 28. (Photo: Xinhua)
Injuries are a constant companion in the world of extreme sports, and skateboarding is no exception. Zeng and Zhu have both faced their share of bruises and setbacks, but their determination to succeed has never wavered. Zeng's mother noticed her daughter's knee injuries but was reassured by her daughter's resilience. Zhu, who has been training away from her parents since she was 10, rarely complains about the hardships, even when battling a fever during training in Nanjing.
Rising to the top and securing Olympic berths
Zhu's rapid progress was evident as she won the women's street skateboarding title at the Guangdong Provincial Championships in 2022 and then dominated the National Championships the following year. Zeng, meanwhile, had already established herself as a force to be reckoned with, becoming the first Chinese woman to reach the finals of the Olympic skateboarding competition in Tokyo, where she secured sixth place.
Chinese skater Zhang Yan competes in the competition on May 18. On the same day, the women's street skateboarding semi-finals of the Paris Olympic Qualification Series in Shanghai were held. (Photo: Xinhua)
In the qualification rounds for the Paris Olympics, Zhu delivered a stunning performance in Budapest, securing her spot among the top 20 ranked skaters and ensuring a full Chinese contingent in the women's street skateboarding event.
As the Olympic flame burns bright in Paris, Zeng, Zhu, and Cui represent a new generation of Chinese athletes who have embraced the challenges of skateboarding, pushing boundaries, and inspiring others along the way.
A new frontier for youth recreation
In Guangning County, Zhaoqing, skateboarding is booming, embraced by parents and youths alike. Guangning Sports Training Centre has responded with a new skatepark and plans for a skateboarding team, broadening youth recreation beyond martial arts.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Zeng Wenhui reflects on her journey, noting a shift from curiosity to maturity. "I've grown mentally and strive for excellence, enjoying the journey," she says. Beyond results, she gains insights: "For Chinese skateboarding to thrive globally, we must excel technically and embrace the culture." Recent competitions showcase her evolving style, blending the spirit of street culture with competition criteria.
Skateboarding, a rapidly evolving sport with increasingly diverse age groups, ensures that no one, including Zeng, can maintain a perpetual lead. Facing the rise of new talents, Zeng adopts a resilient mindset, stating, "Though they may be younger, I'm still in my teens, young and capable of going far. I never give up."
As they navigate through life's turns, these young athletes may yet unleash another "big trick," revealing new chapters of success and achievement.
Author | Alice
Editor | Monica, James
