SANYA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Fan Junjie and Lin Xinyu, a newlywed couple on China's national triathlon team, swept the individual aquathlon events at the 6th Asian Beach Games here on Tuesday, capturing the first two golds of the competition just days ahead of their shared birthday.
Fan secured the men's individual title in the morning, claiming the very first gold medal of the Games and giving China a perfect start. Shortly after, Lin battled through exhaustion during the swimming leg to win the women's individual event, ensuring the couple both stood on top of the podium.
"You did great, but next time I will definitely beat you," Lin joked to her husband after securing her medal.
This year's Asian Beach Games marks the debut of the aquathlon as an official event. Often referred to as a "mini-triathlon," the race requires athletes to complete a 2.5-kilometer beach run, followed by a 1-kilometer ocean swim, and a final 2.5-kilometer run.
For the couple, who are used to standard triathlons, the format felt familiar, though it demanded precise energy management and rapid transitions.
Behind the double victory is a unique dynamic defined by fierce competition. Before races, the two routinely challenge each other with a simple question: "What place are you aiming for?"
"We constantly compete against athletes of our own gender, but I also want the two of us to compete as a couple so we can progress together," Lin said.
While they are fierce rivals on the course, their off-field story is one of love and support. Both born on April 24, 2001, coincidentally, the pair evolved from training partners into life partners, witnessing each other's progress as they rose to become top athletes in the sport.
Their mutual support is a cornerstone of their success.
At China's 15th National Games in 2025, Fan won gold in men's triathlon, while Lin, who had led most of her race, was overtaken in the final stretch and took silver. During the post-race photos, Fan quietly swapped his gold medal for her silver - a private gesture to honor her effort. Shortly after, the couple officially registered their marriage.
Despite their busy, globe-trotting schedule, which takes them to training camps and races home and abroad, Lin views their relationship not as a distraction, but as an asset. "Love is the icing on the cake," she noted on social media in response to a fan asking how they balance marriage with their demanding travel schedule.
"They have spent years focused on national team training and helping each other grow. Their story is simple and warm, which is truly the foundational spirit of the national triathlon team," a staff member from the national team said.
The couple operates by a shared motto: "Forged in steel to win glory for the country."
At the 2024 Olympics, Lin placed 28th in the women's individual triathlon, setting a historic best for Chinese athletes in the event. Looking ahead, her goal is to push that boundary further, while Fan aims to secure a spot at the Olympics.
For the "Iron Couple," who both turned 25 on Friday, winning at the Asian Beach Games is a "very happy" event, but it is merely a warm-up. Following the mixed relay event on Saturday, the pair will immediately head to Yunnan for high-altitude training. Their ultimate crosshairs are locked on the upcoming Asian Games later this year, and eventually competing side-by-side at the 2028 Olympic Games.
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift," Lin said, adding that her ultimate hope for both their marriage and athletic careers is simple: "We will continue to be evenly matched." ■
