When it comes to China's "giants", many people think of Yao Ming for the first time. At 2.26 meters tall, he was once the leader of the Chinese men's basketball team. In the Chinese women's basketball industry, there is also such a figure, she is Zheng Haixia.
She is one of the best athletes in the history of the Chinese women's basketball team, Yao Ming once borrowed shoes from her to wear, and O'Neal regarded her as an idol. She has participated in 4 Olympic Games, 4 World Championships, 4 Asian Games and 8 Asian Championships, leaving a legendary golden age for Chinese basketball.
Screenshot of the FIBA website.
Recently, Zheng Haixia was inducted into the 2021 FIBA Hall of Fame, becoming the first Chinese athlete to receive this honor. When this familiar name once again entered the fans' field of vision, people could not help but recall the unprecedented "Zheng Haixia era".
In 1983, at the age of 16, Zheng Haixia entered the national team. Although she is not very old, Zheng Haixia is tall, strong, and very flexible. The following year, she became the main force of the national team and began to make a name for herself in international competitions.
Zheng Haixia on the field.
At the Los Angeles Olympic Games, Zheng Haixia, who appeared on the Olympic stage for the first time, won the bronze medal with the team as the main center.
Eight years later, at the Barcelona Olympics, she led the Chinese women's basketball team to win another silver medal. In the final, the Chinese girls who passed the barrier lost to the CIS women's basketball team, ranking second, but this is already one of the most glorious moments in the history of Chinese basketball. In addition, in the world championships, Asian championships and Asian Games, Zheng Haixia and the Chinese women's basketball team are also regulars on the podium.
Data chart: On the evening of August 5, 1992, the Chinese women's basketball team with Zheng Haixia as the main center defeated the Cuban team and entered the women's basketball final of the Barcelona Olympic Games. China News Service reporter Zhao Wei photographed
However, her most memorable competition was the 1994 Women's Basketball World Championship.
At that time, Zheng Haixia was 27 years old, and she had injuries in different parts of her body. Even so, Zheng Haixia can still average 26 points per game, and her shooting rate from the field and free throw can reach more than 80%.
With her outstanding performance, the Chinese women's basketball team won the second place. She was also named a member of the "Best Athlete", "Best Center" and "Best Team".
Data chart: The 2014 National Basketball Club (Women's) Youth League opened at the Wuhan Sports Center on the 21st. Zheng Haixia appeared on the field to watch the game. Photo by Zhang Chang
Zheng Haixia's style is not only in the spotlight of the arena.
Although she has been in the basketball world for more than ten years, Zheng Haixia has never forgotten her parents' teachings in her heart: to maintain simplicity and maintain traditional virtues.
Zheng Haixia was born in the countryside of Shangqiu, Henan Province, to parents who were farmers with their backs to the sky facing the loess soil. At the age of 12, Zheng Haixia grew to 1 meter 72. Because of her abrupt height, she was also ridiculed by her classmates.
Later, after entering Shangqiu Sports School, Zheng Haixia fell in love with basketball. Too tall and without suitable shoes, Zheng Haixia played barefoot. She knows that basketball is the only way to change her destiny. After years of unremitting hard practice, Zheng Haixia walked all the way from the sports school to the national team.
After becoming famous, Zheng Haixia not only realized her basketball dream, she also brought a rich life to her family through her hands. Of course, she no longer had to worry about not getting the right shoes. At that time, the 15-year-old Yao Ming was more than two meters tall, and in order to have a suitable pair of shoes, Yao Ming's mother also borrowed shoes from Zheng Haixia to wear.
Data chart: On March 24, 2012, Zheng Haixia attended the ancestral ceremony in the hometown of the Yellow Emperor in the year of Renchen. Photo by Wang Zhongju of The China News Agency
Zheng Haixia's superb skills, affinity and humble personality have not only been loved by domestic fans, but also have a group of loyal fans in the United States on the other side of the ocean.
In 1997, Zheng Haixia landed in the WNBA of the American Professional Women's Basketball League, joining the Los Angeles Sparks, becoming the first Chinese player to join the WNBA.
In the same year, in the 28 games of the first season of the WNBA, Zheng Haixia averaged 9.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and won the WNBA's first "Best Style Award". Shortly after the start of the new season in 1998, Zheng Haixia chose to retire due to injury.
Data map: Zheng Haixia (left) wedding scene. Photo by Meng Yongmin
Although she only played in the WNBA for less than two seasons, Zheng Haixia still made a deep impression on American fans. According to her recollection, when she first arrived in the United States, Kobe Bryant was still a fledgling newcomer, and O'Neal, the "Big Shark", regarded her as an idol: "Kobe May be my fan, but I'm not sure." But I can be sure that O'Neill adored me. ”
After retiring from the army, Zheng Haixia had her own family. Although the person is tall and tall, the voice is rough, but in daily life, Zheng Haixia is a full of small women. She knitted sweaters, changed clothes, and embroidered cartoon patterns on jeans.
Time is like water, and time is like shuttle. In the blink of an eye, Zheng Haixia is 54 years old this year, 23 years after she retired. For more than 20 years, the Chinese women's basketball team has emerged a number of talented athletes, and people have been looking forward to the second "Zheng Haixia", who led the Chinese women's basketball team to regain its former glory, to appear as soon as possible.
(Source: China-Singapore Sports WeChat public account)