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Editor's Note: The results of the fifth SCNU English Writing and Short Video Contest have been announced on the website of the Office of International Exchange & Cooperation of SCNU (see results). We congratulate all prize winners on their outstanding performance. Winning entries will be published in this column.
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By Pan Jundong
Ancient waters carry millennia of civilization, whilst majestic dragon boats bear the spirit of countless generations. Among the brilliant traditional sports of the Chinese nation, dragon boat racing shines like a radiant pearl, not only bearing the profound accumulation of historical culture, but also embodying the spiritual character of Chinese people's unity, cooperation, and persistent endeavor.
During the Dragon Boat Festival each year, communities across China celebrate by dragon boat racing and savoring rice dumplings, thus perpetuating Qu Yuan's patriotic legacy. At South China Normal University, this traditional sport has found new vitality and vigor under the guidance of an accomplished sports expert.
In the sweltering summer of 2024, our university's dragon boat team was preparing for the National Dragon Boat Championships. The entire team united in purpose, and our coach made the remarkable decision to abandon his vacation, returning hastily from his journey to stand with us in our endeavor.
Ultimately, we brought honor to our alma mater by securing a second place in the overall rankings. As a student of physical education, this unforgettable journey of preparation has deeply impressed upon me both the enchanting appeal of traditional Chinese sports culture and the nobility of the model worker spirit.
Our coach stands as a paragon of sporting excellence, with achievements that command profound respect: World Dragon Boat Championship victor, World Rowing Championship men's double sculls champion, and Asian Indoor Rowing Championship winner. His successive triumphs in the National Rowing Championships and National Games further cement his legendary status.
As a Class A2F assessor for the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration, a national first-class rowing referee, and an ASA Level 7 certified instructor, his professional expertise is beyond question. Yet, what moves us most profoundly is his unwavering dedication to traditional sports culture and selfless devotion to athletic pursuits. This summer, despite being midst a family vacation, he unhesitatingly chose to return upon learning of our championship preparation needs, immersing himself in this challenging journey with us.
Under our coach's guidance, our training underwent a metamorphosis as dramatic as a chrysalis transforming into a butterfly. He masterfully integrated theory with practice, embodying the principle of "unity of knowledge and action," while seamlessly blending technical expertise with team spirit cultivation. The training was scientifically divided into three phases: foundation, breakthrough, and peak performance. The foundation phase emphasized physical conditioning, enhancing cardiopulmonary function through systematic aerobic training to establish a solid base for the intensive training ahead.
The breakthrough phase focused on developing strength and explosiveness through high-intensity interval training, pushing team members to transcend their perceived limits. The peak performance phase concentrated on refining team coordination through match simulation and collaborative exercises, integrating individual skills into collective prowess.
On the training grounds, our coach served as a guiding beacon. Piloting his speedboat alongside us, he ensured not only our safety but also provided timely technical corrections. When waves churned the river's surface, his composed guidance instilled unwavering confidence; under the scorching sun, he maintained his vigilant post, scrutinizing every detail with professional acumen. Whenever exhaustion threatened to overcome our resolve, his timely encouragement resonated: "Dragon boat racing embodies the spirit of sailing together through adversity. One person's perseverance strengthens the team's invincibility, and the team's collaboration forges the glory of victory." This persistent faith enabled us to rise repeatedly from setbacks.
What impressed us most profoundly was our coach's innovative approach to training methodologies. He designed an ingenious training system specifically tailored to dragon boat racing's unique characteristics. Underwater resistance training built our strength through overcoming aquatic forces; night training sessions cultivated our adaptability in challenging conditions; during simulated competitions, he would deliberately introduce unexpected situations to enhance our capacity for spontaneous response. Through scientific data analysis and video review sessions, the team's technical proficiency soared remarkably, with average paddling speed improving by 15% in mere fortnight.
In the competitive arena, our coach stood as our unwavering foundation. Before each race, he would exchange determined high-fives with every team member, his resolute gaze conveying silent encouragement: "Trust in yourself, give it your all!" We affectionately addressed him as "Boss," a simple title laden with profound respect and trust. This deep emotional bond enabled us to shed our uncertainties and immerse ourselves completely in competition.
In the realm of preserving and developing dragon boat culture, our coach emerged as an indefatigable advocate. He frequently ventured into remote mountainous regions, providing voluntary training to village dragon boat teams, disseminating professional training methods and the essential spirit of dragon boat culture to grassroots communities. "Dragon boat racing transcends mere sport," he often remarked, "it serves as a binding force for community cohesion, a catalyst for rural revitalization, and symbolizes the Chinese nation's indomitable spirit." Through his dedicated efforts, numerous remote village dragon boat teams have experienced renaissance, allowing traditional culture to take root at the grassroots level.
Our intensive training bore fruit throughout the 2024 season. Under our coach's guidance, we claimed victory in the University Division at the 2024 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational and secured third place in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Dragon Boat Invitational. These successes built our confidence leading up to the National Championships, where we ultimately achieved second place overall. These accomplishments embody our coach's earnest expectations and the team's unwavering dedication. They represent not merely athletic triumphs, but stand as the finest interpretation of traditional Chinese sports culture.
2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament
This narrative, unfolding at South China Normal University, demonstrates the commitment and responsibility of sports professionals while exemplifying our institution's motto of "Strive with fortitude, pursue knowledge rigorously, seek truth and innovation, set an example for others." Through practical action, our coach has contributed significantly to the university's athletic development. He stands not only as a guardian of dragon boat racing but as a practitioner of our university's spirit, writing a new chapter for the contemporary era through his expertise and dedication.
The promotion of dragon boat spirit represents not merely the inheritance of traditional culture but the manifestation of perseverance. It reminds us that amid the tides of time, we must both preserve excellent traditional culture and advance with innovation. Let us harness the dragon boat as our sail, raise the banner of endeavor, and forge ahead through the waves in our journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, composing an even more brilliant tomorrow.
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