Zhu Dingwen: "Hong Kong Speed" "Flying" on Ice

(Beijing Winter Olympics) Zhu Dingwen: "Hong Kong Speed" "Flying" on Ice

China News Service, Beijing, February 11 Title: Zhu Dingwen: "Hong Kong Speed" "Flying" on Ice

China News Service reporter Xing Chong Zhang Su

For the first time in his life, he put on an ice knife, and Zhu Dingwen had a "feeling of flying on the ice." On the 11th, he "took off" on the ice rink of the Winter Olympics for the first time in his life, and although he stopped at the men's short track speed skating 500 meters preliminary, the Hong Kong player who spoke with his own "northeast accent" smiled and said that being able to stand on the Beijing Winter Olympics was a victory in itself for him.

Zhu Dingwen from Hong Kong, China, competes on February 11. On the same day, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics short track speed skating men's 500m preliminary competition was held at the Capital Gymnasium. Photo by Cui Nan, a reporter from China News Service

Zhu Dingwen, who was born in 1999, was actually the first to practice ice hockey, but when he was 11 years old, he came into contact with short track speed skating, and when he "ran in circles with the fastest speed and the greatest strength", this feeling of "flying" made him "addicted" at once. "This feeling of constantly surpassing myself and surpassing my opponents is particularly appealing to me."

In order to "grind out" the sensitivity to the ice surface as soon as possible, Zhu Dingwen almost "soaked" in the ice rink, and even began training at four o'clock in the morning. He officially joined the Hong Kong Short Track Speed Skating Team just three years later, and has since won the Hong Kong Short Track Speed Skating Championships for five consecutive years, regarded as a "new star".

At the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics four years ago, Zhu Dingwen had the strength to stand on the field, but in a preparation training, he suddenly injured his right ankle and eventually missed the Winter Olympics. Coach Sun Dandan helped him out of the haze when he suffered a "darkest hour" — the Chinese short-track speed skater who also suffered an injury ahead of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Starting again, Zhu Dingwen won the silver medal in the men's 1000 meters of the Asian Championships in 2019, and then overcame all the inconveniences caused by the epidemic and obtained the ticket to the Beijing Winter Olympics. He said it was exciting to compete with the world's top players, but more importantly, this time it was on the soil of his own country.

Before the 500-meter preliminary round on the 11th, Zhu Dingwen came to the Capital Gymnasium early to adapt to the venue, and after playing, he deliberately practiced starting from the outside road many times. After the gunshot, some runners rushed to run, and Zhu Dingwen failed to keep up with the speed of starting again, and finally ranked third in the group with 44.857 seconds and failed to qualify.

"The first shot I thought was me rushing away, but then I didn't have the guts to grab it." After the game, Zhu Dingwen smiled and replied to the reporter that after the runner next to him rushed to run, his "legs were trembling", if he could do it again, he would "be more bold to fight".

In fact, for Zhu Dingwen from the "snow-free all year round" area, when he stood on the highest level of ice and snow competition, it was also a victorious leap in "Hong Kong speed".

The Hong Kong delegation, China, has qualified for the Winter Olympics for six consecutive years since the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and the other five have qualified for short track speed skating except Pyeongchang. Lu Shuo, vice chairman of the Hong Kong Skating Union, said that as a city close to the tropics, it is difficult to achieve such results without persistence and some hard work that ordinary people cannot imagine.

Hong Kong still lacks an international standard ice rink, Zhu Dingwen and other team members have been training in the mainland for many years, they not only rapidly improved their skating skills, but also practiced an authentic "big ballast flavor" in the day and night with mainland coaches and teammates. Zhu Dingwen said that his training in the mainland allowed him to reacquaint himself.

The rapid progress of "Hong Kong Speed" is inseparable from sports exchanges with the mainland. In addition to Sun Dandan, who coached the Hong Kong team for eight years, Lu Shuo is also a professional player who has come out of Jilin Province. In addition, the Chinese national team has also given strong support to the Hong Kong team.

Zhu Dingwen said that before the game began that day, he and Wu Dajing, a famous Chinese player in the same group, cheered each other on. "Without their support, I would not have been able to realize my Olympic dream this time." He said.

At this Winter Olympics, the Hong Kong sports delegation sent the largest team in history, and Zhu Dingwen was also the flag bearer of the opening ceremony delegation. "It is my greatest honor to be able to wave the district flag at the Winter Olympics in my home country." Just a few tens of meters, Zhu Dingwen said carried the sweat and tears of him and his team and every skater in Hong Kong.

Zhu Dingwen said that he liked this feeling of "flying on ice" and therefore never wanted to give up. "It's a bit like a roller coaster, constantly overtaking in high-speed taxiing."

At this point, Zhu Dingwen's trip to the Winter Olympics ended, he said that although there are "some regrets", he also showed the fighting spirit of continuous transcendence.

"I think ice and snow sports have a very special charm, and I hope that through my participation, the Olympic spirit and my experience in the Winter Olympics will be brought back to Hong Kong, so that more Hong Kong people can participate in ice and snow sports." Zhu Dingwen said. (End)

Source: China News Network