Speaking of China's "giant", many people think of Yao Ming for the first time.
At 2.26 meters tall, he was the leader of the Chinese men's basketball team.
In the Chinese women's basketball world, there is also such a figure, she is Zheng Haixia.
She is one of the best athletes in the history of the Chinese women's basketball team. Yao Ming once borrowed shoes from her and O'Neill regarded her as an idol.
She has participated in 4 Olympic Games, 4 World Championships, 4 Asian Games and 8 Asian Championships, leaving a legendary golden age for Chinese basketball.
Screenshot of the FIBA website.
Recently, Zheng Haixia was selected into the 2021 FIBA Hall of Fame, becoming the first Chinese athlete to receive this honor.
When this familiar name re-entered the fans' vision, people couldn't help but recall the unprecedented "Zheng Haixia era".
In 1983, Zheng Haixia, who was only 16 years old, entered the national team.
Although she is not very old, Zheng Haixia is tall, sturdy, and very flexible.
In the second year, she became the main force of the national team and began to make her mark in the international arena.
Zheng Haixia on the field.
At the Los Angeles Olympics, Zheng Haixia, who was on the Olympic stage for the first time, won the bronze medal with the team as the main center.
Eight years later, at the Barcelona Olympics, she led the Chinese women's basketball team to win another silver medal.
In the finals, the Chinese girls who passed through all the way lost to the CIS women's basketball team and finished second, but this is already one of the most glorious moments in the history of Chinese basketball.
In addition, Zheng Haixia and the Chinese women's basketball team are also frequent visitors on the podium in the World Championships, Asian Championships and Asian Games.
Data map: On the evening of August 5, 1992, the Chinese women's basketball team with Zheng Haixia as the center forward defeated the Cuban team and entered the Barcelona Olympic women's basketball final.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhao Wei
However, the most memorable competition for her was the 1994 Women's Basketball World Championship.
At that time, Zheng Haixia was 27 years old, and various parts of her body suffered injuries.
Even so, Zheng Haixia still averaged 26 points per game, shooting and free throw percentages can reach more than 80%.
With her outstanding performance, the Chinese women's basketball team won the runner-up.
And she was also named "Best Athlete", "Best Center" and "Best Team" member.
Data map: The 2014 National Basketball Club (Women's) Youth League opened in Wuhan Sports Center on the 21st.
Zheng Haixia appeared on the court to watch the game.
Zhang Changshe
Zheng Haixia's style is not only in the spotlight of the stadium.
Although he has been in the basketball world for more than ten years, Zheng Haixia has never forgotten the teachings of her parents: stay simple and maintain traditional virtues.
Zheng Haixia was born in a rural village in Shangqiu, Henan. Her parents were farmers who faced the loess and turned their backs to the sky.
At the age of 12, Zheng Haixia had grown to 1.72 meters.
She was ridiculed by classmates because of her height.
After entering Shangqiu Sports School, Zheng Haixia fell in love with basketball.
Too tall and without suitable shoes, Zheng Haixia played barefoot.
She knows well that basketball is the only way for her to change her destiny.
After years of persistent and hard practice, Zheng Haixia entered the national team all the way from the sports school.
After becoming famous, Zheng Haixia not only realized her basketball dream, she also brought a wealth of life to her family through her hands.
Of course, she no longer has to worry about not being able to buy suitable shoes.
At that time, 15-year-old Yao Ming was over two meters tall. In order to have a pair of suitable shoes, Yao Ming's mother had borrowed shoes from Zheng Haixia.
Data map: On March 24, 2012, Zheng Haixia attended the ceremony of worshipping the ancestors in the hometown of the Yellow Emperor in the Renchen year.
Photo by Wang Zhongju issued by China News Agency
Zheng Haixia's superb skills and friendly and humble personality have not only won the love of domestic fans, but also have a group of loyal fans in the United States on the other side of the ocean.
In 1997, Zheng Haixia landed in the WNBA and joined the Los Angeles Sparks, becoming the first Chinese player to join the WNBA.
In the same year, in 28 games in the first season of the WNBA, Zheng Haixia averaged 9.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and won the first WNBA "Best Style Award".
Soon after the start of the new season in 1998, Zheng Haixia chose to retire due to injuries.
Data map: Zheng Haixia (left) wedding scene.
Photo by Meng Yongmin
Although only played for WNAB for less than two seasons, Zheng Haixia still left a deep impression on American fans.
According to her memories, when he first arrived in the United States, Kobe was still a fledgling newcomer, and "Big Shark" O'Neal even regarded her as an idol: "Kobe may be my fan, but I'm not sure. But I can be sure that O'Neill is an idol. mine."
After retiring, Zheng Haixia had her own family.
Although she is tall and loud and her voice is rough, Zheng Haixia is a very small woman in daily life.
She can knit sweaters, change clothes, and embroider cartoon patterns on her jeans.
Time is like water, time is like passing by.
In the blink of an eye, Zheng Haixia is 54 years old this year, 23 years have passed since she retired.
In more than 20 years, the Chinese women's basketball team has emerged batch after batch of talented athletes. People have been looking forward to the emergence of the second "Zheng Haixia" who will lead the Chinese women's basketball back to its former glory.
(Reporter Xing Rui)