Keeping a well-crafted promise

Inheritor's fulfilled pledge to rowers highlights the Cultural House's mission

Lu Shiyu and her teammate Shen Shuangmei had, for many months, hoped to win the women's double sculls championship at the Hangzhou Games — but only for a couple of weeks had they likewise wished to get a fish woven from palm fibers.

And they took both home after their victory at the Fuyang Water Sports Centre on Sept 24.

"You performed brilliantly and claimed the championship with ease," said Wang Li, an officially recognized cultural heritage inheritor of palm-fiber weaving, as he handed Lu the figurine after their win.

"So, I hereby fulfill my promise and present to you this meticulously crafted palm-fiber fish."

This pledge was made half a month ago, when the duo wandered into the Games Village's Cultural House, where Wang taught them how to weave palm fibers.

"I was captivated by his masterpiece, Fish in Water. It truly stood out," Lu recalled.