by sportswriters Yao Youming and A Man
SANYA, China, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Asian men's 100m record holder Su Bingtian and Olympic women's shot put champion Gong Lijiao may have retired in 2025, but their spirit continues to inspire a new generation of Chinese athletes at the ongoing 6th Asian Beach Games.
After Song Jiayuan won gold in the women's shot put with a throw of 19.15 meters and sprinter Huang Youchao took silver in the men's 60m on Saturday, both told Xinhua they hope to carry forward the qualities embodied by China's golden generation - grit, courage in the face of challenges and a sense of responsibility to pass that legacy on.
Song finished fifth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and won silver at China's 14th National Games in 2021 with a then personal best of 19.76m. She went on to take bronze at Paris 2024 and has long been regarded as Gong Lijiao's successor in the circle.
However, after undergoing surgery in 2025, Song suffered a setback, finishing fourth at the 15th National Games. Arriving in Sanya, the 28-year-old was determined to rediscover her form.
"I wanted to get a season's best," she told Xinhua during a pre-event training session.
On Saturday, she opened with 18.57m and never relinquished the lead, underlining her dominance in Asia by producing a season's best of 19.15m with her sixth and final throw, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
"This is my best finish at an international event since undergoing surgery last year, and the small goal I set before the competition has been achieved," Song said.
Yet she is reluctant to describe herself as the sole standard-bearer of Chinese women's shot put.
"Zhang Linru, who won silver, is a very strong athlete," Song said. "We want to keep moving forward with the fighting spirit of our predecessors, so that Chinese athletes can get back to the top of the podium at major international events."
Zhang, a former teammate of Gong with both the national team and Hebei provincial squad, has been training while undergoing knee treatment after winning silver at the 15th National Games.
"I am satisfied with the result, for me, competing at Asian Beach Games is a challenging thing," Zhang said.
"I want to learn Gong's spirit of persistence. She is an icon who guide us and lead us. I will try my best to chase her in the future," Zhang added.
On the track, Huang Youchao, who ranked first in the opening round of the men's 60m, finished second in the final in 6.67 seconds behind Thailand's Puripol Boonson, with compatriot Liu Yang taking bronze in 6.74. Huang set a season's best, while Liu improved his personal best.
"I am very satisfied with the result because it far exceeded my expectations. It has given me greater confidence," said Huang, China's national indoor champion. "I still need to learn from the retired legends so I can keep improving and win more glory for my country."
Liu said Su Bingtian's tenacity and self-discipline have left a deep impression on him.
"I will train harder and show a more positive attitude in training and competition," he said. "This year I want to run 10.10 seconds in the 100m and fight for a place at the upcoming Asian Games," the 22-year-old added. ■
