China News Service, Changsha, July 29 (Tang Xiaoqing and Yang Dingxiang) On the 28th, the women's water polo team of the Tokyo Olympic Games played against the host Japanese women's water polo team.

The Chinese girls worked hard and performed well, and eventually defeated the Japanese team 16-11 and won the first victory of this Olympic Games.

　　In the hometown of Zhai Ying, a member of the Chinese women's water polo team, family members and elders from hometown stared nervously at the TV. Every time the Chinese team scored a goal, they shouted: "China team, come on! Zhai Ying, come on!"

　　In 1996, Zhai Ying was born into a Yao peasant family in Zhuyuanzhai Village, Tuojiang Town, Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, Yongzhou City, Hunan Province.

"This child has grown up tall and has a boyish personality. He is lively and has a very skinny skin! Going up the tree to fish for birds, fishing in the river, chasing and playing...everything is indispensable for her!" Dad Zhai said.

Zhai Ying's hometown elders cheered for her in front of the TV.

Photo by Li Zhonglin

　　Unexpectedly, these "shortcomings" have become advantages in the eyes of Jiang Yunxian, the coach of Jiangyong County Sports School who came to explore sports talents: quick response, good coordination, reluctance to admit defeat, and strong explosive power!

　　In 2007, 11-year-old Zhai Ying was selected for the first day of physical training in Jianghua County Sports School. Zhai's mother accompanied her daughter to the county town.

In less than half a day, Zhai Ying let her mother go home: "Mom, you go back! These trainings can't trouble me."

　　Zhai Ying started two years of basic training at the county sports school.

Run for one hour before school every day, and do two-hour shot throwing, standing long jump, running and jumping training after school.

During the two years of arduous training, several children who trained together went away one after another. However, Zhai Ying never screamed hard, insisting on completing the task, and helping the coach to take the younger brothers and sisters, every time they went out on behalf of the county. All participants can get a good ranking.

　　At the end of 2010, Yongzhou Sports School water polo coach Qing Zongkai recruited water polo players from the city. The tall Zhai Ying was caught by coach Qing.

The 14-year-old Zhai Ying was a little frightened: "I have only participated in track and field sports in the county sports school for more than two years. I have never heard of water polo before. Can I do it?"

　　"There is nothing wrong with the players I like, you are a good seedling for water polo!" Qing Zongkai gave Zhai Ying a pill.

In early 2011, Coach Qing sent Zhai Ying to the Hunan Provincial Water Polo Team.

　　After 8 years in the provincial team, Zhai Ying, who performed well, was selected for the national team in 2018 and won the championship with her teammates in the women's water polo match at the Asian Games in Jakarta that year.

Zhai Ying's father, grandma, aunt, and brother encouraged her in her hometown.

Photo by Li Zhonglin

　　This year is Zhai Ying's first participation in the Olympic Games.

Behind the glamour and honor, there are unknown sadness and pain.

"Falls and injuries are common. It takes an hour to soak in the water in the winter. Since entering the provincial water polo team in 2011, she has not spent a Spring Festival with her family." Dad Zhai said, due to years of high-intensity training. Zhai Ying suffered a knee injury for half a year during the treatment process, during which she became pessimistic and decadent, and finally regained self-confidence with the encouragement of her family.

　　After healed her injured leg, Zhai Ying returned to the national team and trained with the players to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics, hoping to win glory for the country in the Olympics.

"I hope to show all levels and abilities on the big stage of the Olympic Games, without regrets." Zhai Ying and her relatives said in the video.

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