China's flagbearer hoping to get off to a golden start

Speed skater and Heilongjiang native, Ning Zhongyan, one of the Chinese delegation's flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, voiced his hope of winning a gold medal in his home province.

"I feel very honored and proud to be the flagbearer," said Ning, who was born in Mudanjiang, a prefecture-level city in Heilongjiang's southeast.

"My teammate Gao Tingyu was the flagbearer at the Beijing Winter Olympics, and he won a gold medal. I wish to carry on his momentum."

Ning, who finished fifth at Beijing 2022, is in good shape for the Asian Winter Games. He has won four silver and four bronze medals on the 2024-25 ISU World Cup circuit. Despite his rich experience in international competitions, Harbin 2025 marks his first appearance at the Winter Asiad.

"This is my first time competing at an Asian Winter Games, and I hope I can win a gold medal for my hometown and for my country," Ning said.

Ning is set to compete in the men's 1,000m, 1,500m, and team sprint, with a primary focus on the 1,500m event on the opening competition day on Saturday.

"The 1,500m is the event I specialize in, and a good start will make the rest of the competitions easier," Ning noted.

Returning to the Speed Skating Oval at the Heilongjiang Ice Training Center made the 25-year-old a bit emotional.

"I trained at this venue for about 10 years after I started speed skating. It's quite refreshing to see it taking on a brand-new look after its renovation, and I love the colors and atmosphere," Ning said after his training session.

Beyond the competition, Ning, who is training with athletes from multiple countries and regions as part of "Team Gold" founded by Japanese speed skating icon Takagi Miho, sees the Asian Winter Games as a platform for exchanges.

"Athletes from many Asian countries and regions have gathered here. I believe it's an opportunity to showcase our hospitality and a good chance to promote exchanges and learn from each other," he said.

XINHUA