Current location:sport >>
Feature: Skiing fervor spices up life in NW China
sport67People have gathered around
IntroductionYINCHUAN, China, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Deftly bypassing obstacles, Ma Tianhao, a 14-year-old skiing en ...
YINCHUAN, China, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Deftly bypassing obstacles, Ma Tianhao, a 14-year-old skiing enthusiast from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, sped down a snow-covered slope, crossing the finish line amid a cheering crowd.
Completing his two runs with a combined time of 40.22 seconds, Ma clinched gold in the just-concluded Ningxia Junior Alpine Skiing Championships, held at the Yahao International Ski Resort in Jingyuan County, Xihaigu.
"I'm quite satisfied with my performance today," Ma said afterwards. "The trick is to keep your core muscles tight, keep balance, and slide down with minimal turns."
At the finish line, Ma's father, mother and younger sister were cheering for him. They come from south Ningxia's Xinqi Village, just a kilometer from the ski resort.
Before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics spurred a mounting interest in winter sports, winters in Xihaigu were often tedious due to the low temperature and dry climate, especially in Ma's hometown, which used to be cut off by mountains.
All that has changed since the opening of the Yahao resort in 2019. After discovering skiing there, Ma's father, Ma Zhi, quickly became an aficionado, spending almost every day on the snow in winter seasons.
"I ski over five hours every day," he said. "Time flies once I walk onto the piste, and sometimes I even forget to eat lunch. It feels great every time I finish a run."
Encouraged by his father, Ma Tianhao developed an early interest in skiing, often tagging along with him during winter breaks.
For Ma Tianhao, winter is his favorite time of the year. "Skiing has already become an important part of my life. I'm addicted to the feeling of freedom when I glide down the slope," he said.
Since its official opening, the Yahao resort has become a major attraction for skiing enthusiasts, spicing up the lives of locals and people from nearby provinces.
"We received over 57,000 enthusiasts last year. That number is likely to surge this year, as we have lowered ticket prices and upgraded facilities," said resort manager Ding Yong.
For skiing coaches, winter is the busiest time of year. "The passion for learning to ski is particularly high this year. It seems that the peak season has come earlier," said Gou Wei, a skiing coach at the resort.
As a PE teacher at a vocational school in the region, Gou took up skiing years ago, ultimately become a coach. According to him, skiing is about more than just having fun.
"Winter sports teach children to be resilient, as they have to face difficulties, learn to overcome fear, and get up after repetitively falling," he said.
Gou's two sons, Mingyu and Mingrui, also practice skiing under their father's tutelage. "Skiing is my way to release the pressure of school and relax. I've come to know many friends at the ski resort," said 13-year-old Mingyu.
Ma Tianhao's mother and sister also enjoy skiing. The family has spent countless hours on the snow and plans to celebrate Chinese New Year at the resort this year. For them, skiing has brought the family closer together.
Last year, Ma Tianhao transferred to a vocational training school in Yinchuan, the provincial capital, to train as a professional skier. "It's my goal to be a professional athlete, and to represent my country in international competitions," he said.
(Editor:Wang Su)
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Planet Perspective news portal”。http://chile.argoasecurityeu.com/article-39b799950.html
Related articles
Here comes the char
sportTom Holland enjoyed a post-show cup of tea and proudly waved to fans as he left the Duke of York's T ...
【sport】
Read moreRural area shining example of development
sportA photo shows two boats parked outside a restaurant in Hengshanwu village of Anji county, Zhejiang p ...
【sport】
Read moreChina Focus: CPC Leadership Maps out Priorities for China's Economic Development in H2
sportContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
【sport】
Read more
Popular articles
- Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
- Xi Replies to Letter from Hong Kong Middle School Students
- Silk Road int'l expo pushes for deeper Belt and Road cooperation
- Big on barbecue, Zibo's star shines
- Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
- Sanya optimizes processes of nucleic acid testing amid latest COVID
Latest articles
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Hongjiannao National Nature Reserve in NW China's Shaanxi, sanctuary for relict gulls
China's sci
China wins artistic swimming team technical at FINA Worlds
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
China's car market sees V
LINKS
- Ox paintings exhibited to mark upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year in Malaysia
- China thrives as center of global brand exports
- Shadow play introduced via online live
- Kazakh embroidery production helps female villagers increase income in Xinjiang
- China biggest contributor of green technologies: WIPO chief
- Visitors view panda
- China's driverless vehicles taking fast lane to success
- Wukesong Sports Center for 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics completed
- Advancing new industrialization, modernization
- People of Yao ethnic group perform during harvest festival in Guangxi