Speaking of China's "giants", many people think of Yao Ming at the first time. At 2.26 meters tall, he was once the leader of the Chinese men's basketball team. In the Chinese women's basketball world, there is also such a character, she is Zheng Haixia .
She is one of the best athletes in the history of Chinese women's basketball . Yao Ming once borrowed shoes from her, and O'Neal regarded her as an idol. She has participated in 4 Olympic Games, 4 World Championships, 4 Asian Games and 8 Asian Championships, leaving a legendary golden years for Chinese basketball.
INF website screenshot.
A few days ago, Zheng Haixia was selected for the 2021 International Basketball Federation Hall of Fame and became the first Chinese athlete to win this honor. When this familiar name entered the fans' horizon again, people couldn't help but recall the unprecedented "Zheng Haixia era".
In 1983, Zheng Haixia, who was only 16 years old, joined the national team. Although he is not very old, Zheng Haixia is tall, strong and very flexible. The next year, she became the main force of the national team and began to make her mark in the international arena.
Zheng Haixia on the field.
At the Los Angeles Olympics , Zheng Haixia, who first appeared on the Olympic stage, won the bronze medal with the team as the main center.
Eight years later, at the Barcelona Olympics, she led the Chinese women's basketball team to win another silver medal. In the finals, the Chinese girls who had been through the hurdles lost to the CIS women's basketball team and finished second, but this is already one of the most highlights in the history of Chinese basketball. In addition, Zheng Haixia and the Chinese Women's Basketball Team are also regular visitors on the podium in the World Championships, Asian Championships and Asian Games.
China News Service reporter Zhao Wei Photo "
Data picture: On the evening of August 5, 1992, the Chinese women's basketball team with Zheng Haixia as the main center defeated the Cuban team and entered the Barcelona Olympic women's basketball final. China News Service reporter Zhao Wei Photo
However, the most memorable competition she had was the 1994 Women's Basketball World Championships.
At that time, Zheng Haixia was 27 years old, and there were injuries in different parts of her body. Even so, Zheng Haixia averaged 26 points per game, and her shooting and free throw shooting percentages reached more than 80%.
With her outstanding performance, the Chinese women's basketball team won the runner-up. She was personally rated as a member of "Best Athlete", "Best Center" and "Best Lineup".
Zheng Haixia's style is not just the spotlight in the arena Next.
Although she has been in the basketball world for more than ten years, Zheng Haixia has never forgotten her parents' teachings: keep it simple and maintain traditional virtues.
Zheng Haixia was born in a rural area of Shangqiu, Henan. Both her parents are farmers facing the loess and facing the sky. At the age of 12, Zheng Haixia grew to 1.72 meters. Because she was too abrupt, she was ridiculed by her classmates.
Later, she entered Shangqiu Sports School, and Zheng Haixia fell in love with basketball. She was too tall and did not have suitable shoes, so Zheng Haixia played barefoot. She knew that basketball was the only one that changed her destiny. Path. After years of persistent and hard practice, Zheng Haixia entered the national team from the sports school. After becoming famous, Zheng Haixia not only realized her basketball dream, but also brought a rich life to her family through her hands. Of course, she no longer had to worry about not being able to buy the right shoes. At that time, the 15-year-old Yao Ming was over two meters tall. In order to have a pair of suitable shoes, Yao Ming's mother also borrowed shoes from Zheng Haixia to wear.
Zheng Haixia's superb skills and friendly and humble personality were not only loved by domestic fans, but also in the United States on the other side of the ocean. There are also a group of loyal fans.
In 1997, Zheng Haixia landed in the WNBA professional women's basketball league, joined the Los Angeles Sparks, becoming the first Chinese player to join the WNBA.
In the same year, in 28 games of the first WNBA season, Zheng Haixia averaged 9.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and won the first "Best Style Award" of the WNBA. Shortly after the new season in 1998, Zheng Haixia chose to retire due to injury.
Data photo: Zheng Haixia (left) wedding scene. Meng Yongmin Photographed
Although he has only played for WNAB for less than two seasons, Zheng Haixia still left a deep impression on American fans.According to her recollection, when she first arrived in the United States, Kobe was still a fledgling newcomer. " Shark " O'Neal even regarded her as an idol: "Kobe may be my fan, but I can't be sure. But what I can be sure is that O'Neal admires me." After retiring from
, Zheng Haixia had her own family. Although he is tall and big and has a rough voice, Zheng Haixia is a very little woman in daily life. She can knit sweaters, change clothes, and embroider cartoon patterns on her jeans.
Time is like water, and time passes. In the blink of an eye, Zheng Haixia is 54 years old this year, 23 years have passed since she retired. Over the past 20 years, batches of talented athletes have emerged in the Chinese women's basketball team, and people have been looking forward to the second "Zheng Haixia" who led the Chinese women's basketball team to regain its former glory and will appear as soon as possible. (Reporter Xing Rui)
Source: China News Service WeChat official account
