The question of who is the best female athlete of the year is not a simple one. Is it Sun Yingsha, the new queen of table tennis at just 24 years old, who won the first-ever Olympic mixed doubles gold medal? Or is it Quan Hongchan, the 17-year-old diving prodigy who stunned the world with three championships and set a new record as the youngest champion in history? Or perhaps it's Zheng Qinwen, who opened a new chapter for Asian tennis by winning the first Olympic singles gold medal? Their stories are each more exciting than the last, and their achievements shine brighter than the next. Who is the true "Queen"? This "battle" is even more thrilling than the competitions on the field!
Let's start with this year's best winner, Sun Yingsha, who has proven herself with a "well-deserved" victory. At the Paris Olympics, she won the gold medal in mixed doubles in table tennis, which is not only the first gold medal in the history of Chinese table tennis but also the first in the entire history of the Olympics! In women's singles, she has maintained her position as the world's number one, whether in Grand Slam events or tour matches. This current "big sister" of the table tennis world is incredibly stable.
Many say that Sun Yingsha has inherited the mantle from her predecessors, Ding Ning and Li Xiaoxia, and has remained at the peak of her game. However, I believe she is even more special, capable of bearing the immense pressure of China's "national sport" while possessing a tactical style that is both solid and efficient.
Experts have commented, "Sun Yingsha is not only a leader in table tennis but also a representative of Chinese sports demonstrating its influence to the international sports community." Indeed, the pressure on the national table tennis team is unimaginable to most people, and behind the consolidation of results lies countless hours of training and stress resistance. Her success is not just due to talent but also to the countless sleepless nights she has spent building her career. It's no wonder she defeated other candidates in the annual "Best Female Athlete" selection and took the crown.
Honestly, table tennis has always been a traditional strength of China, and maintaining this dominance is already a kind of legend. However, Sun Yingsha's value is not just about setting records; she is redefining what it means to be a "table tennis superstar" in her own way.
If we were to describe Quan Hongchan in one sentence, it would be "peak performance upon debut." This 17-year-old "diving little witch" has already become a legendary figure in the world of diving—In 2024, she proved herself to be more than just a "flash in the pan" with two championships. In the finals of the women's individual and synchronized 10-meter platform at the Paris Olympics, she perfectly demonstrated her skills, truly deserving of being the youngest triple champion in Olympic history!
Yet, despite being called a "diving genius," Quan Hongchan unfortunately placed second in the "Best of the Year" selection. Many fans were quick to express their dissatisfaction! However, upon reflection, this may not necessarily be unfair to her but rather reflects the undeniable strength of "table tennis." Compared to table tennis, which enjoys ultra-high international exposure, diving, although strong in China, has slightly lower recognition worldwide.
The significance of Quan Hongchan may not lie in temporary honors but in the fact that she has shown many people the future of Chinese diving. That young girl from the countryside who started diving to help alleviate her family's burden has told us with every jump: talent plus hard work is the recipe for making history. Although she did not top the "Best" this time, Quan Hongchan's future is far more than just a "second place."
Speaking of Zheng Qinwen, she is undoubtedly this year's dark horse! When many people were still nostalgic about "Li Na," she quietly began writing a new chapter for Asian tennis—winning the gold medal in singles tennis at the Paris Olympics! This gold medal is not only China's but also the first gold medal in the history of Asian tennis. Tennis has never been a traditional strength of China, especially in singles, which has long been dominated by European and American players. But Zheng Qinwen changed all that.
During the 2024 season, she demonstrated remarkable growth, with both her technical and tactical levels and psychological resilience rapidly improving. Many international media outlets have hailed her as a "future star," and some experts even believe she has the potential to shake up the existing order of European and American players in the tennis world. Zheng Qinwen's gold medal-winning performance showed the world that Chinese athletes can also have a say in the tennis world.
Compared to Sun Yingsha and Quan Hongchan, Zheng Qinwen's rapid rise is particularly precious, as she has opened another window to the world for Chinese sports. Of course, for tennis to gain more attention, it requires sustained performance. However, this potential is already very promising! Beyond Sun Yingsha, Quan Hongchan, and Zheng Qinwen, there is also a group of "heroes" in less popular sports, whose stories are equally inspiring.
First, let's talk about Yang Jiayu, the world champion in racewalking, who became the only highlight of the track and field team—she not only won the gold medal in the women's 20km racewalk at the Olympics but also became the annual champion of the World Athletics Tour. Such an achievement is not simply "walked out"; it is fought for. Next, let's mention Deng Yawen, the BMX rider. This 20-year-old young woman used her strength to win the gold medal in freestyle BMX, ending the dominance of European and American athletes. This achievement has given many athletes in less popular sports hope, showing that the Olympic stage is no longer exclusively for traditional strengths.
There is also 22-year-old golfer Yin Ruoning. She won three LPGA titles in the 2024 season, with prize money totaling $2.8 million! This is unprecedented in the history of Chinese golf athletes. She not only brought more attention to golf but also added confidence to the development of many niche sports.
When it comes to the most inspiring story, we cannot forget Luo Shifang. She not only won the championship in the Olympic weightlifting competition but also broke three world records, defeating the world with her muscular physique. You might not expect that this weightlifting queen almost gave up this path due to injuries and difficulties that almost overwhelmed her. Persistence brought her to the pinnacle, and this story is much like a real-life version of a comeback drama!
And Chang Yuan's perseverance is even more touching. After failing twice in previous Olympics, she bravely won the gold medal in women's boxing at the Paris Olympics, finally vindicating herself. This persistence seems to tell everyone: though effort is bitter, the result is really sweet.
From traditional sports like table tennis and diving to the rise of less popular sports, from Sun Yingsha to Yin Ruoning, these sports stories reflect China's path from absolute strength to diversified development. In the future, if we can provide more support to less popular sports and allow athletes from different fields to enjoy development resources, we may welcome even more "Sun Yingshas" and "Quan Hongchans."
This year, they have brought us too many emotions. And Chinese female athletes are destined to write more miracles with their sweat and efforts. Let's applaud for them!