The Jiangsu rowing team. [Photo/WeChat account: jingjiangfabu]
The Jiangsu rowing team clinched a gold medal at the ongoing 15th National Games in the men's quadruple sculls final on Nov 10, marking the first gold awarded since the opening ceremony of the games.
The victory was led by Zhang Zihao from Jingjiang, Taizhou in East China's Jiangsu province, alongside his teammates Cai Pengpeng, Zang Ha, and Zhang Hanwen, delivering a triumphant start for the Jiangsu delegation.
This top national rowing event brought together elite athletes from 22 teams nationwide. In the 1,500-meter final, Zhang and his team swiftly took the lead, executing synchronized, accurate, and powerful strokes. Despite continuous pressure from opponents, they stayed focused, using steady performance and explosive strength to increase their margin. They finished, winning the championship and highlighting Jiangsu's rowing team's impressive prowess.
Born in 2005, Zhang graduated from Jingcheng Middle School in Jingjiang and joined the Jiangsu Provincial Rowing Team for training in September 2022. His achievements include winning first place in the U19 men's single sculls at the National Rowing Spring Championships in April 2023 and earning the men's single sculls gold medal at the first Student (Youth) Games of China in November 2023.
At this year's National Games, he reached a major milestone in his athletic career by standing on the top of the podium at the highest level of national competition, marking a significant breakthrough with his teammates.