Smart approach taken to boost sporting prowess

"Competitive sports in China are in dire need of new talent to support athletes' scientific training－and not only among outstanding athletes," Gao said.

He added that athletes should be encouraged to major in subjects such as anatomy, physiology and biology if they want to become coaches.

"Athletes spend most of their time training. They know how to compete, but lack sufficient knowledge of how the human body works, or why techniques have to change," Gao added.

Xu Jiamin, who has coached China's three-person women's basketball team since 2018, completed undergraduate studies in sports training at Shanghai University of Sport and will pursue a master's in this field.

A basketball player for 12 years, Xu said, "Athletes' experience sharpened my competitive skills, while academic studies equipped me with the skills needed beyond competition, such as training design, rehabilitation and nutrition, enabling me to better lead a team."

The team she coached won the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.