Winning the Female Windsurfer of the Year!Ningbo windsurfer Yan Zheng is...

Yan Zheng is in the competition. Photo courtesy of the Municipal Water (Swimming) Sports School

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Yan Zheng won the Female Windsurfer of 2023 from the China Yachting Association. Video screenshot

On February 27th, the third session of the 10th Member Representative Conference of the China Yachting Association was held in Qingdao. At the "Sailing Night" held that evening, various awards of the China Yachting Association for 2023 were officially announced. Among them, the only outstanding female athlete award for 2023 was awarded to Yan Zheng, a national team athlete trained and sent by Ningbo Water (Swimming) Sports School.

At this meeting, the data disclosed by the China Yachting Association showed that the national sailing and windsurfing team did a good job in major international competitions such as the World Championships and Asian Games in 2023. Through the efforts of the entire team, a total of 9 Olympic events have been qualified, achieving a new breakthrough in the number of events since participating in the Olympics.

In the process of competing for Olympic qualification, Yan Zheng has made significant contributions. On August 19th last year, she finished eighth at the World Yachting Championships, securing a valuable qualification for the Chinese hydrofoil windsurfing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Yan, who is currently undergoing intense training with the national windsurfing team in Shanwei, Guangdong, did not receive the award on site. She expressed her gratitude through video.

"I am very pleased to be honored as the Outstanding Female Athlete of 2023. Due to the tight training for the Olympics, I regret not being able to attend this ceremony on site. As a member of the Chinese yachting team, I deeply feel the honor and responsibility of standing on this stage. Every time I set sail, it is a test of my own abilities and a demonstration of my country and team; Every harmonious dance with the sea is the best response to the trust of our motherland and the expectations of billions of compatriots." In her video speech, she said, "As athletes, we are not only warriors on the arena, but also the glory and pride of our country. I promise that in the future, whether it is training or competition, I will actively pursue excellence and bravely face all challenges. The horn of the Paris Olympics has sounded, and I will confidently embrace every challenge. We will represent China with the fullest enthusiasm, the most professional attitude, and a firm will, showcasing the strength and style of Chinese sailing athletes to the world. We firmly believe that through the efforts and cooperation of our team, we can create excellent results on the field and win glory for our country. Let's work hand in hand to add glory and color to China's sailing industry, and set sail for our dreams."

In recent years, Yan Zheng has achieved excellent results in various domestic competitions. For example, at the 14th National Games in 2021, she won the gold medal representing the Zhejiang team in the women's windsurfing RS: X level long-distance and obstacle skating all-around competition; In December 2022, she won the championship of the women's hydrofoil and windsurfing field competition at the National Flipping Board Championships; In the 2023 National Yachting Championships, Yan Zheng won the championship again in the hydrofoil windsurfing level field competition.

Due to the conversion of windsurfing equipment and project adjustments in the sailing and windsurfing events at the Paris Olympics, hydrofoil and kite boards have become new Olympic events. Therefore, after winning the 2021 National Games, Yan Zheng immediately participated in hydrofoil windsurfing training, believing that she could better leverage her physical advantages in the new project.

Last year, Yan Zheng was selected by the China Sailing Association as the "China Sailing Tomorrow Star" for 2022. This time, she became the only winner of the 2023 Outstanding Female Athlete Award.

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