China farm girl, 15, from landlocked rural area becomes country’s first surfer to reach Olympics
- Countryside born, Yang Siqi sees ocean aged nine, cannot swim, learns to surf
- Fitness, bravery wins her World Surfing Games, secures Olympic berth
A 15-year-old surfer who is set to become the first athlete to represent China in the sport at the Olympics has an inspirational personal story to tell.
Yang Siqi, who hails from the inland rural area of Liangshan in southwestern Sichuan province – one of the poorest areas in China – first saw the sea when she was just nine years old.
Her journey began with a simple request to her uncle, a wrestler, to introduce her to a new sport. He guided her towards sailing, but after a few months, she was drawn towards surfing.
“It’s not because I come from a poor, rural area and needed sport as a way out, but because I love sport and my parents respect and support my choice,” Yang told China Youth Daily.
“This path has indeed been hard and tiring, but because I love it, I have never thought about giving up,” she said.
Her first encounter with the sea in Hainan was a shock because she could not swim and was afraid of the water.
