Kiteboarding is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, and 24-year-old Chen Jingyue stands at the forefront of this historic moment for China. As a member of the Chinese national team, Chen’s path to the Olympics has been paved with perseverance, passion, and overcoming significant challenges.
Chen began kiteboarding at the age of 12, initially embracing the sport as a fun hobby. Her natural talent quickly became evident, and she made history by becoming the first Chinese athlete to win an international kiteboarding championship. In 2018, when the Chinese Yachting Association established the national kiteboarding team, Chen was among the first to be recruited.
Despite only switching to professional kiteboarding in 2021, Chen has rapidly ascended to become the top kiteboarder on the national team. Her dedication and hard work paid off when she secured eighth place in the women’s kiteboarding medal series at the Sailing World Championships in The Hague in August 2023. This achievement not only marked a personal milestone but also secured an Olympic qualification spot for China in the event.
This year, Chen continued to dominate by finishing first in all three of the 2024 Olympic trials. Reflecting on her journey, Chen shared, \”I think I have grown much more mature. I did it only for my own happiness in the past. But when I won the gold medal at the Asian Games and watched the Chinese national flag fly, I felt the load on my shoulders.\”
The transition to professional sports was not without its hardships. Chen admitted to facing intense training regimens and higher expectations. \”I couldn’t stand it all at the beginning,\” she recalled. \”I felt so much pain every day. I was like ‘Why do I have to do this?’ But now that I look at that experience, I think it’s all worth it.\”
As Chen Jingyue prepares to represent her country at the Paris 2024 Olympics, her story serves as an inspiration to many. From a young girl who kiteboarded for fun to a professional athlete set to make history, Chen embodies the spirit of determination and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.
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Chen Jingyue overcomes various challenges for her Olympic dream
cgtn.com
