HARBIN, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) — Speed skater Ning Zhongyan, one of many Chinese delegation’s flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, voiced on Thursday his hope to win a gold medal in his hometown of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.
“I feel very honored and proud to be the flagbearer,” Ning stated with a smile. “My teammate Gao Tingyu was the flagbearer at the Beijing Winter Olympics, and he won a gold medal. I wish to carry on this momentum and win a gold medal this time.”
Ning, who completed fifth at Beijing 2022, is in fine condition for the Asian Winter Games. He has received 4 silver and 4 bronze medals from the 2024-2025 ISU World Cups. Despite his wealthy expertise in worldwide competitions, the upcoming Harbin 2025 marks his first look at an Asian Winter Games.
“This is my first time competing at an Asian Winter Games, and I hope I could win a gold medal for my hometown and for my country,” Ning stated.
Ning is about to compete within the males’s 1,000m, 1,500m, and group dash, with a main deal with the 1,500m occasion on the opening competitors day this Saturday.
“The 1,500m is the event I specialize in and a good start will make the rest of the competitions easier,” Ning famous.
Returning to the Speed Skating Oval of the Heilongjiang Ice Training Center additionally made the 25-year-old a bit emotional.
“I had trained in this venue for about 10 years since I picked up speed skating. It’s quite refreshing to see it taking on a brand new look after renovation and I love the colors and atmosphere,” stated Ning after his coaching session.
Beyond competitors, Ning, who’s coaching with athletes from a number of nations and areas in ‘Team Gold’ based by Japanese velocity skating icon Takagi Miho, sees the Asian Winter Games as a platform for exchanges.
“Athletes from many Asian countries and regions have gathered here. I believe it’s a good chance to showcase the charm of speed skating and our hospitality. It is also a good chance to promote exchanges and learn from each other,” he stated.
According to the organizers, over 1,200 athletes from 34 nations and areas throughout Asia will compete on the upcoming Asian Winter Games which opens on Friday.