Digest

WINTER SPORTS

Youth hockey tourney a big hit in Tangshan

The Ruixiang Cup China-Russia youth ice hockey invitational tournament ended in Tangshan, Hebei province last week.

The five-day event organized by the Hebei Ice and Snow Sports Association, Tangshan Municipal Sports Bureau, Administrative Committee of Tangshan Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Hebei Ruixiang Sports Cultural Development Co. Ltd and Tangshan Ruixiang Ice Sports Club, attracted more than 240 players representing 19 teams from China and Russia.

The Tianjin Champion Star Yuehu Under-8 team, Beijing Dream Chasers and Tangshanixiang Warriors Under-12 team won the U8, U10 and U12 categories respectively.

Tangshan has been developing winter sports in recent years, including an investment of about 100 million yuan ($14 million) to build the city's largest ice arena. The city has also been promoting ice and snow sports in schools, factories and government units, contributing greatly to the national fitness program in the process.

Tangshan has pledged to host more ice and snow events in the future to further promote the city and benefit local residents.

Ace Su wins slopestyle at National Games

Beijing 2022 Olympic champion Su Yiming clinched back-to-back titles at China's 14th National Winter Games in Inner Mongolia with victory in the men's slopestyle event on Saturday.

The triumph came just a day after Su topped the podium in the Big Air event.

Su, who won Big Air gold and slopestyle silver at Beijing 2022, was by far the standout performer over the weekend.

Despite a few flaws in his first run, Su showcased an almost perfect second run, with several stylish tricks on the rails and bars, easily topping the standings with 96.6 points for Shanxi province.

Heilongjiang snowboarder Gao Xuesong took silver with 83.2, and Shandong's Liu Haoyu claimed bronze with 78.

After completing his second run, Su threw his snowboard into the air and raised his arms in celebration.

He said that his goal at the National Winter Games was to win both the Big Air and slopestyle events. He described Saturday's victory as a "pressure release".

"Both today and yesterday's competitions didn't go the way I particularly wanted because there were mistakes in the first run, which meant I had to handle the pressure until landing the last run," added the 20-year-old.

Wang Ye speeds to 500m gold in Poland

China's Wang Ye won the women's 500m at the ISU World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Gdansk, Poland on Saturday.

The 18-year-old clocked 43.921 seconds ahead of South Korea's Chung Jae-hee, who crossed the line in 44.292. Victoria Jean-Baptiste of Canada finished third with 44.824.

In the men's 500m, South Korea's Shin Dong-min took the gold medal with 42.122, followed by Sean Shuai of the United States, 0.052 seconds back.

Shin's compatriot Rim Jong-un finished third with 42.407. China's Zhang Bohao won the 'B' final in 42.809.

China's Lyu Wanyu grabbed bronze in the women's 1,500m race after she finished in 2:48.481, marginally behind winner Maja Dora Somodi of Hungary (2:48.391) and Kazakhstan's Alina Azhgaliyeva (2:48.478).

In the mixed team relay, China advanced to the 'A' final after clocking 2:43.616 to beat South Korea, Italy, France and Hungary.

VOLLEYBALL

Coach Cai dialed in to Paris Games mission

Coach Cai Bin has vowed to help the Chinese women's volleyball team qualify for the Paris Olympic Games as the three-time Olympic champion team prepares for the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

China failed to secure a Paris Games berth during last year's Olympic qualifiers.

To prepare for this year's VNL, Paris 2024 and other international competitions, players called up to a national team training camp assembled in Beijing on Monday.

The 2024 VNL, set to commence in May, represents a crucial opportunity for the Chinese team to maintain a high world ranking, which is essential for securing a spot at the Paris Olympics.

"We will address our weaknesses and enhance our strengths during training. Building on last year's VNL experience, we will adjust our technique and tactics against different opponents," said Cai.

China's star spiker Zhu Ting, a core player of the gold medal-winning team at the 2016 Rio Olympics was not included in the training camp roster. Cai explained her omission was due to the player's fitness concerns.

"We stay in touch with Zhu Ting. She is currently busy in the Italian league and is not feeling well about her physical condition," said Cai.

"We fully respect her choice, and the national team will always welcome her back with open arms."

Agencies