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Certainly! I will outline the "Kids' path to champions" in Chinese diving schools. The main contents are as follows:
Introduction to Zhanjiang: Overview of Zhanjiang as China's diving cradle and training environment.
Grassroots training system: Describes the rigorous daily routine and fundamental skill development.
Spiritual drivers: Explains motivational factors and cultural influences behind young divers.
Champion development: Details the progression from talent identification to elite competition.
Broader landscape: Highlights other regional training hubs and national development programs.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the systematic training approach and cultural significance.
Then, I will now begin writing the main body of the article.
Inside China's Diving Schools: The Grueling Path to Creating Champions
1 From Coastal City to Champion's Cradle: The Zhanjiang Phenomenon
Nestled in China's southern Guangdong province, Zhanjiang has steadily transformed from a simple coastal city into what is now internationally recognized as the "Hometown of Champions" in the diving world . This remarkable reputation didn't emerge overnight but represents generations of systematic training, cultural appreciation for aquatic sports, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in diving. The recently concluded 15th National Games saw Guangdong secure its fifth diving gold, with both women's and men's team events dominated by athletes who began their journeys in Zhanjiang's rigorous training programs . Behind these gleaming medals and triumphant moments lie countless hours of disciplined practice, scientific training methodologies, and a cultural ecosystem that has produced Olympic champions like Quan Hongchan and legendary divers such as La Lishi and He Chong .
The city's aquatic sports heritage dates back to 1935 when the first sports association—Chikan Sports Association—was established in Zhanjiang . What began as a simple swimming facility converted from fish ponds has evolved into a sophisticated network of specialized training institutions, including the prestigious Zhanjiang Diving School, which houses the first indoor diving facility in western Guangdong . Established in 2013, this institution has become a key provincial training base that supports elite training, competitions, and public fitness programs . The school has long served as the training ground for the diving teams of Zhanjiang City and Chikan District, consistently identifying and developing talent through a proven system that balances intense physical preparation with psychological conditioning .
Table: Notable Divers from Zhanjiang's Training System
Diver Name Achievements Training Background
Quan Hongchan Olympic Gold Medalist (Paris 2024) 湛江市体育学校 (Zhanjiang Sports School)
La Lishi Olympic Champion 赤坎体校 (Chikan Sports School)
He Chong Olympic Champion 赤坎体校 (Chikan Sports School)
Zhu Zifeng National Games Gold Medalist 赤坎体校 (Chikan Sports School)
He Chao National Games Gold Medalist 赤坎体校 (Chikan Sports School)
2 The Grassroots Training System: Where Champions Are Forged
2.1 Relentless Daily Regimen
At Zhanjiang Diving School, the path to excellence begins with a disciplined routine that continues nearly year-round. Young athletes arrive at the training hall straight from school at 5 p.m., immediately beginning their drilling of fundamentals . The training is segmented into land-based exercises and water sessions, each targeting specific skill development crucial for diving excellence. On land, students diligently practice joint stretches, wall handstands, and trampoline jumps, performing each movement with strict attention to form, repeated until perfected . Coaches constantly cue corrections—"Tighten your core!" "Point your toes!"—building the strength and body control that form the foundation of championship diving .
By 6 p.m., training shifts to the water, where the 30-meter pool fills with young divers of different ages, all repeatedly practicing handstand entries and takeoffs within their specific diving groups to improve vertical alignment and stability . The air continually breaks with splashes as children dive in and climb out, creating a rhythm of relentless repetition. Coach Yang Cheshan emphasizes that "diving is built on repetition and refinement," noting that the school's primary goal at this grassroots level is to "lay a solid foundation and prepare talented athletes for provincial and national teams" . This philosophy of mastery through repetition means students train 363 days a year, enduring even unheated pools in winter, understanding that a season out of the water would mean significant setbacks in their development .
2.2 Fundamental Skill Development
The training methodology at Zhanjiang's diving institutions focuses on progressive skill acquisition, beginning with simple movements and gradually advancing to complex dives. Handstands receive particular emphasis as they are fundamental to achieving cleaner and straighter water entry . Coach Yang explains this critical connection: "Mastering handstands is key to a cleaner and straighter entry into the water" . Young divers might spend months perfecting this single element before moving on to more advanced techniques.
Beyond handstands, students progress through a carefully structured curriculum that includes takeoff techniques, body positioning, aerial awareness, and entry control. The training incorporates various tools and equipment to facilitate learning—trampolines for developing air sense and body control, harnesses for practicing rotations safely, and video analysis for technical refinement . At the renowned Chikan District Children's Sparetime Sports School (commonly known as Chikan Sports School), which shares training facilities with Zhanjiang Diving School, children as young as five can be seen honing their skills on trampolines and with pull cords, daily repeating the motions of approach, takeoff, rotation, and entry . These foundational movements become so ingrained that they eventually transform into the seemingly effortless performances seen in international competitions.
3 Beyond Physical Training: The Spiritual and Cultural Drivers
3.1 The Power of Role Models
In Zhanjiang's diving schools, inspational figures play a crucial role in motivating the next generation of athletes. The success of Olympic champion Quan Hongchan has generated significant interest in Zhanjiang's renowned diving culture, encouraging more parents to consider this sport for their children . Coaches actively leverage these success stories, using them as teaching tools and motivational anchors. "We watched the 15th National Games diving events together to study athletes' techniques," said Coach Yang Cheshan, highlighting how the school uses contemporary competitions as learning opportunities . He particularly emphasized the inspirational value of alumni like Nie Jun, who competed in the 15th National Games and achieved impressive results, representing the level students hope to reach or surpass .
At the Zhanjiang Sports School, the walls themselves tell stories of triumph, adorned with champion posters and news clippings of victorious alumni . These visual reminders create an environment where excellence feels attainable. Assistant coach Huang浩然, a former diver himself, specifically shows athletes competition and interview videos of Quan Hongchan, helping them learn diving techniques while developing a calm and composed mindset . This deliberate cultivation of psychological resilience alongside physical training reflects the comprehensive approach to champion development. For current trainees like Peng Jiajia, who trained alongside Quan Hongchan for nearly a year, having a personal connection to someone who reached the pinnacle of the sport makes the dream feel more tangible .
3.2 Family and Community Support
The journey to becoming a diving champion in China extends beyond the training facility, relying on a network of support that includes coaches, parents, and the broader community. For many families, this path requires significant sacrifice. At the Zhanjiang Sports School, parents like Ms. Liang, who moved from Guangxi to support her two children's training, exemplify this commitment . She rented accommodation near the school and carefully manages the household, providing nutritional support and emotional stability while her children pursue their diving dreams .
These dedicated families must balance practical support with psychological encouragement, especially when children face the inevitable challenges of rigorous training. When Ms. Liang's children experienced fatigue, injuries, and emotional struggles, she maintained a strong front despite her own concerns . The day after Quan Hongchan won gold at the Paris Olympics, she took her children to visit Quan's hometown of Maihe Village, writing on social media: "The example is right before our eyes, inspiring us forever" . This pilgrimage to champion landmarks represents a common practice where parents and coaches use tangible success stories to reinforce persistence and dedication in young athletes.
4 The Champion Development Pathway: From Playground to Podium
4.1 Talent Identification and Early Development
The champion-making process in Zhanjiang begins with systematic scouting for potential talent across the region. Coaches actively visit local kindergartens and primary schools, looking for children who exhibit the physical attributes and psychological traits suited to diving . The story of Olympic champion Quan Hongchan's discovery illustrates this process perfectly. In 2014, coach Chen Huaming noticed seven-year-old Quan during games at Maixie Primary School in Mazhang Town, observing her natural lightness, agility, and explosive power during jump rope and hopscotch . After preliminary tests of flexibility and jump capacity, Quan was selected along with several other children and began her sports career at the Zhanjiang Sports School .
This approach to talent identification—where coaches "leave no stone unturned" in their search for potential—has been fundamental to Zhanjiang's continued production of elite divers . The selected children, typically aged 5-7, are grouped by age and ability level upon entering the training system, following tailored programs that gradually introduce them to the sport's technical demands . The initial focus remains on developing general athleticism, body awareness, and fundamental movement patterns rather than specialized diving skills, creating a broad base upon which technical excellence can be built.
4.2 Progressive Training and Elite Advancement
As young divers demonstrate commitment and capability, they progress through a clearly defined pathway that leads from grassroots training centers to provincial teams and potentially to national representation. The case of Zhu Zifeng, a national champion who trained at Chikan Sports School, exemplifies this progression. At six years old, Zhu began his training under Coach Zhong Quansheng, who had previously mentored Olympic champions La Lishi and He Chong . Coach Zhong recalled Zhu as "a particularly active child whose flexibility exceeded his peers, and who demonstrated exceptional diligence and obedience" . After approximately five years of systematic training at Chikan, Zhu was selected for provincial team training in 2014, eventually culminating in his national gold medal performance .
This pathway demands continuous advancement at each developmental stage. Young divers like Liao Junyuan, who entered Zhanjiang Sports School in 2019 and earned selection to the Guangdong Provincial Youth Competitive Sports School within a year, represent the rapid progression possible for exceptionally talented and dedicated athletes . However, this journey presents both physical and psychological challenges, including confronting height fears, managing training fatigue, and coping with isolation from family. Liao described his experience overcoming the fear of ascending platforms: "He gradually overcame psychological barriers, step by step completing advanced training from 1-meter to 3-meter platforms" . Through this structured yet demanding system, Zhanjiang's diving schools continue their legacy of transforming promising children into world-class athletic performers.
Table: Daily Training Routine at Zhanjiang Diving School
Time Activity Focus & Objectives
5:00 PM Land Training Fundamental movements: joint stretches, wall handstands, trampoline jumps
Late Afternoon Technical Practice Form refinement with coach feedback; focus on body tension and toe pointing
6:00 PM Water Training Handstand entries, takeoffs, vertical alignment, and stability practice
Evening Additional Sessions Extended practice, sometimes including video analysis or technique study
5 The Broader Landscape: Diving Development Beyond Zhanjiang
While Zhanjiang has undoubtedly become synonymous with Chinese diving excellence, other regions have also developed effective training systems that contribute to the nation's diving dominance. The city of Shantou, for instance, boasts its own proud diving tradition through the Shantou Sports School, which produced Xie Siyi—the double gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics who successfully defended his 3-meter springboard title in Paris 2024 . Known as a "dream factory" for diving, Shantou Sports School has created an environment where children as young as five can train under world-class coaches like Lin Yuanxia, a former world champion who now heads the diving program .
These regional training centers share common elements with the Zhanjiang model while maintaining their distinctive characteristics. The Shantou program has significantly upgraded its facilities in recent years, moving from outdoor pools to an indoor diving facility equipped with international-standard springboards, safety harnesses, trampolines, and tumble tracks . This investment in infrastructure reflects the broader national commitment to maintaining diving excellence through systematic support for grassroots sports development. At Shantou Sports School, as at Zhanjiang's institutions, children train with the dream of following in the footsteps of their local heroes, repeating movements until they become second nature while developing the mental toughness required for competition at the highest level .
The Chinese diving ecosystem also includes national development programs that extend beyond traditional diving training. The "Kunpeng潜行少年" (Kunpeng Junior Divers) summer and winter camps, organized by the Zhanjiang Diving Sports School under the guidance of national sports authorities, introduce young people from across China to fin swimming, water skiing, and diving . These camps, which attract participants from as far as Inner Mongolia, Beijing, and Heilongjiang, employ stratified teaching methods appropriate to different skill levels, from beginners learning basic fin techniques to advanced swimmers refining their turn techniques . By casting a wider net across different aquatic sports and geographic regions, these programs identify and nurture talent while promoting water sports participation nationwide.
6 Conclusion: Sustaining a Diving Dynasty
The remarkable success of China's diving schools in producing world-class athletes stems from a powerful combination of systematic training, cultural reverence for diving, and unwavering support systems that sustain young athletes through years of rigorous preparation. As Coach Yang Cheshan of Zhanjiang Diving School succinctly stated, "There are no shortcuts, only the gradual perfection of foundational skills through persistent effort" . This philosophy of mastery through repetition—of embracing the daily grind of handstands, entry drills, and countless jumps into the water—forms the bedrock of China's continuing diving dominance.
For the young divers training in Zhanjiang, Shantou, and other centers of excellence, the journey extends far beyond physical skill development. They are immersed in an environment where champion role models are ever-present, where parental sacrifices reinforce the importance of their endeavors, and where the broader community takes pride in their progression. As these children overcome fears, endure injuries, and push through moments of self-doubt, they internalize the resilience and discipline that will serve them whether they eventually stand on Olympic podiums or apply these lessons to other life domains. The continued emergence of diving champions from these programs suggests that this comprehensive approach— addressing technical, psychological, and cultural dimensions simultaneously—represents a sustainable model for athletic excellence that will likely maintain China's position at the pinnacle of international diving for generations to come.
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