Paris Olympics: Chinese teens exciting social media on their surfboards and skateboards
- Surfer Yang Siqi, 15, is into the last 16, skateboarder Cui Chenxi, 14, finished 4th in her event, while Zheng Haohao, 11, debuts on Tuesday
Chinese teenage female athletes are catching waves and rolling into the spotlight, rising to the forefront of social media discussions with their infectious passion for sports and incredible “girl power”.
Yang Siqi, the 15-year-old who is China’s first Olympic surfer, has carved her way into the top 16 in the women’s surfing event, riding the towering waves and navigating the swells in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, and described as “an absolute warrior” by sports commentators.
On Sunday, 14-year-old skateboarder Cui Chenxi caused a splash among fans by finishing the women’s street final in fourth place – China’s best result in the sport since its debut in the Olympics three years ago in Tokyo.
“At just over a teenage age, these girls represent their country in fields traditionally dominated by men. Yet, they face challenges with fearless determination, showcasing only superhuman courage and genuine joy in the competition,” one commented on the social media platform Red, also known as Xiaohongshu.
