China News Service, Tianjin, June 23rd: Yu Zhiling, technical official of softball at the Tokyo Olympics: Let the world see China's confidence
Author Zhang Shaoxuan and Cui Jingsheng
"On the Tokyo Olympics softball field, as a technical officer, I am the only Chinese who participated. My performance represents the country, and I want to show the world the confidence of the Chinese in sports." The Tianjin native who is currently a member of the China Softball Association Dispute Committee Yu Zhiling said.
In 1996, the Chinese women's softball team won the Olympic runner-up. As an athlete, she passed by the most glorious era of Chinese softball.
In 2021, when she became a technical officer and stood on the Olympic softball final, she still firmly believed that the future of Chinese softball was unlimited.
In the decisive battle on the Yokohama arena, Yu Zhiling was the second base referee. Her active running, powerful gestures, and passionate shouts all exuded confidence.
"In my trip to the Tokyo Olympics, I will bring back the current international advanced coaching concepts, techniques and tactics, etc., and I believe that the future Chinese women's baseball team will also regain its glory."
Hit a youth home run from player to referee
After the Tokyo Olympics, the chief referee Bob commented on Yu Zhiling, "Well done, it's really a pleasure to see you as a referee." Yu Zhiling showed the professionalism and spirit of Chinese sports people as a referee in international competitions. style.
Talking about her sports career, she said: "I never give up or give up. This is the red line that I have always linked with softball."
The ball used in the final of the softball event of the Tokyo Olympics will only be given to the referee on duty as a souvenir.
Photo by Cui Jingsheng
In 1985, the young Yu Zhiling became a member of the Tianjin softball team.
With extraordinary talent and hard training, she was once selected for the national team.
During a training session, she accidentally ruptured the posterior ligament of her left leg. After the surgery, the doctor decided that she would no longer be able to play softball. This is like a bolt from the blue for a girl who is in her prime and has infinite vision for the future. .
After the injury, Yu Zhiling did not give up on herself. She did not admit defeat and started a series of arduous rehabilitation training.
When the ligament was broken, she went to the track and field early to do recovery training to exercise the muscles and let the muscles wrap the ligaments.
Today, when reporters feel the muscles in her legs with their hands, the strong muscle groups are still full of strength.
"If softball can bring people anything, it is hard work and perseverance. Therefore, I am not willing to retire like this." Yu Zhiling said.
Yu Zhiling's efforts were not in vain.
Soon after, she regained her main role as her body recovered.
During the winter training in Kunming, the expert who performed ligament surgery for her was surprised and said, "You can still play softball!" Yu Zhiling not only continued to play softball for many years, but also became a referee.
In 1998, after retiring, she stayed in the Tianjin Sports Team, and her refereeing career began.
The National Softball Championship Cup, the National Youth Championship, and many national events have left behind the sassy figure of Yu Zhiling as a referee.
After being qualified as an international referee in 2016, Yu Zhiling participated in the refereeing work of the 2017 World Youth Championship in Florida, USA, and received a high score from the International Baseball Federation.
In her opinion: "Although being a referee at the Olympic Games is a struggle alone, my responsibility is to demonstrate responsibility and show the demeanor of a great country."
Yu Zhiling displayed the commemorative ring of the softball event of the Tokyo Olympics.
Photo by Cui Jingsheng
Softball is the Earth, China's Confidence Spreads Around the World
"China's softball will definitely become a strong team in the world, I have this confidence." Speaking of being elected as the technical officer of the softball project of the Tokyo Olympics, Yu Zhiling hoped that China's softball will one day surpass the United States and Japan, and the sonorous rose will bloom again. , to show the world the sports ability and spirit of the Chinese people.
The Tokyo Olympics have been postponed for a year due to the new crown epidemic, and every athlete and technical official participating in the Olympic Games has to overcome many difficulties.
"Two months before the competition, I went to the Tianjin Olympic Center track and field field for running training at 6 o'clock every morning, and insisted on running at least 4,000 meters every day. During the day, I would also do strength training to maintain physical fitness."
In Chiling Yu's view, the Olympic Games is not only a venue, but also a friendly exchange venue for the global community with a shared future.
As a referee, she enforced the law impartially and gave fair penalties. There was no wrong judgment or omission. She won the trust of the chief referee and the recognition of her colleagues, and finally obtained the qualification to referee the championship and runner-up competitions.
In the spare time of the game, referees from various countries meet together to watch the game, eat, dance in the referee's locker room, and watch the live broadcast of the opening ceremony together, and the friendship gradually deepens.
On the bus, the Dutch female referee and the Canadian female referee will also watch Chinese TV dramas with Yu Zhiling. Although they do not understand, they are very engaged.
Yu Zhiling's collection of Tokyo Olympic softball project referee certificates, commemorative balls, Olympic Committee thank you letters, etc.
Photo by Cui Jingsheng
Yu Zhiling's law enforcement in the Tokyo Olympics received a high score of 96 points from the Olympic Committee, which is also the highest score ever achieved by a Chinese technical official at the Olympic Games.
On July 28, 2021, when Yu Zhiling checked out with her luggage, the chief referee Bob and all the referees were sitting on the sofa in the lobby waiting to say goodbye to her, and told her to pay attention to safety and write when she arrived in China. Safe mail.
"I felt very warm and moved when I saw them seeing me off. I didn't come here in vain. I showed sports confidence for China and gained friendship and respect from the world," said Yu Zhiling.
China's softball development goal is the world's first echelon
Talking about softball in China today, Yu Zhiling said that Chinese softball is showing a booming trend.
During the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, China has built 15 high-level baseball and softball reserve talent bases, 25 Chinese baseball and softball traditional schools, and 26 Chinese baseball and softball promotion schools; There are 1,159 softball experimental schools; it hosts the National Junior Softball Championship, the National Softball Softball Championship, and the National Youth Sports Club League. The number of youth softball games is increasing year by year.
There are more than 3,000 softball and softball teams, 1,441 softball and softball physical education teachers (coaches), and about 1 million young people participating in softball and softball.
Yu Zhiling (second from right) took a group photo with the team of technical officials on duty at the Tokyo Olympic softball finals.
Photo courtesy of Yu Zhiling
In China's softball development plan, by 2025, the youth softball population will double to 2 million.
And continue to improve the level of softball competition, maintain the forefront of Asia, and strive to enter the world's first echelon.
A person cannot stand without spirit, and a country cannot be strong without spirit.
On June 23, the International Olympic Day, sports people like Yu Zhiling are still working silently in various positions and doing their best for the sports power.
Live up to your youth, each shines.
(Finish)