The "Beijing Power" of Chinese male ice. Zhong Wei (second from left), Yan Juncheng (third from left), Ying Rudi (third from right), Chen Zimeng (first from right) and Zhang Zesen (first from left) and Zhang Pengfei (second from right) from Beijing. Image source: Chen Zimeng Weibo
Among the Chinese male ice teams, there are four native Beijing children: Zhong Wei, Ying Rudi, Chen Zimeng and Yan Juncheng. All four of them traveled to North America when they were young, and they also represented the Chinese team in the Junior and Youth World Championships many times. Stay overseas, return from school, the little brothers are dedicated to serving the motherland, and the Winter Olympics is the best stage.
"For Beijingers to participate in the Winter Olympics in Beijing, for me it is a dream come true." Ying Rudi said.
Don't look at the current beijing folk ice and snow sports in full swing, more than ten years ago, there were not many children playing ice hockey. Children who are passionate or gifted in hockey and want to pursue higher development, studying in the United States or Canada is a way to develop. It was in this context that the four of them fled at a young age.
Yan Juncheng
"I loved ice hockey when I was a kid!" The 21-year-old striker Yan Juncheng is the youngest of the four but has nearly 14 minutes of playing time in the opening game, the most among local players. At the age of 9, he went to Canada and later became the "first chinese man" in the Ontario Youth Hockey League (OHL) draft and became one of the top Youth Hockey Leagues (BCHL) in North America. In January 2019, Yan Juncheng also competed as vice captain in the U20 World Championship Group C event, helping the Chinese team successfully promote to the group and winning the title of "Best Player", "I think this is a particularly cool thing." ”
However, Yan Juncheng has never forgotten the time when he was a child practicing in Beijing and "looking for a game to play" with his friends. "That was the starting point of my hockey career, and my interest in ice hockey and my basic skills were all cultivated at that time." Yan Juncheng said, "It is this experience that allows me to fly towards higher and farther goals. ”
The same 23-year-old Ying Rudi, Zhong Wei and Chen Zimeng are "small", playing together at the age of six or seven, and are members of the "Tiger Boy Team" that once shocked the amateur ice hockey industry in Europe and the United States. Although I have lived abroad for many years, the "Beijing gene" in the bones of several people cannot be erased: not humble, not profane, atmospheric, righteous, there are faces, and opening their mouths is an authentic Beijing accent.
Chen Zimeng
Take Chen Zimeng, the only defender among the four, who did not suffer less when participating in the team selection abroad. When he was a child, Chen Zimeng, who was fat and dunky, stepped on the Guomao Ice Rink at the beginning, just wanted to choose a "grandfather" exercise to lose weight. With mediocre talent, he walked step by step with love, by extraordinary efforts, self-discipline and humility. "Suffering does exist, but there is no retreat." Against foreign players, the figure, technique, and speed could not keep up, the wrist was injured, it hurt when he moved, and he continued to practice with a bandage. The spirit of persistence impressed the coach, entered the team, and played better and better.
Once, Chen Zimeng was interviewed by Canadian television and needed to record a video of him playing saxophone, and the young man chose the Chinese national anthem. On the day of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, he excitedly wrote on social platforms: There are no words to describe how proud Chinese is. My life now is a dream I grew up with. Chen Zimeng said, "Do your part for Chinese ice hockey, get on the stage of the Olympic Games, and promote this sport." ”
Zhong Wei
Zhong Wei, a striker who is also "from the international trade", is the first player in Chinese ice hockey to appear in the NCAA (American University Sports Association). Before the Winter Olympics, Arizona State University, where he played, also issued an official congratulatory letter congratulating Zhong Wei on being selected for the Chinese ice hockey team's Winter Olympic team. In order to play the NCAA, Zhong Wei, who has excellent academic performance, gave up the opportunity to study at prestigious schools such as the University of Southern California, New York University, and Boston University, and tried to be brave and struggled in the youth league. Several schools in the lower leagues invited him to join the team, but he was determined to move forward and finally got his wish. Beijing children, about dreams, never give in.
Ying rudi
Unlike the choice of her brothers, Ying Rudi signed with Kunlun Hongxing Club at the age of 18 and entered the professional arena. Over the years, he has made great strides in the high-level league and is one of the best local players in the national team. Playing at the age of 4 and studying in the United States at the age of 9, Yingrudi has never forgotten her original intention. "Abroad, no matter which club you represent, you are working hard to win. But playing for the national team is another feeling, fighting for national honor, and that feeling is particularly sacred. "In the first few years of going abroad, I had to return to China every 3 months to apply for a visa, but Yingrudi never thought about immigration," going abroad to play is to one day represent China and promote the development of Chinese ice hockey." "No matter how far and how long we have traveled, we have not forgotten where we want to go back." China, Beijing, will always be our home. ”