UW-Madison welcomes new group of China’s champions

Sixteen accomplished Chinese student-athletes, including one coach, will spend nearly nine months living and studying at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The group, which includes multiple world champions and Olympic medal winners, is the second cohort in the university’s partnership with Beijing Sport University, the foremost sports, physical education and exercise science institution in China.

The Chinese Champions Workshop will provide the student-athletes, who are currently enrolled in graduate studies at Beijing Sport University, with a nondegree academic program to build their English, science, leadership and coaching skills. They will receive a certificate through UW–Madison’s Division of International Studies.

“With this second group, we look forward to strengthening the relationship we built with our inaugural class,” says Gilles Bousquet, dean of the Division of International Studies and vice provost for globalization. “These athletes are national heroes in their home country, and we are so pleased to once again share a world-class university experience as they share their own culture with us.”

The athletes, who experienced success in the Olympics and other world-class competitions, come from varied sports, such as taekwondo, judo, fencing, softball, weightlifting, badminton, swimming, synchronized swimming, freestyle skiing, curling and kayaking. In addition, a wrestling coach will join the student-athletes.

Perhaps the best-known athlete is Zhang Yining, considered one of the top female table tennis players in history. For her dominant presence on the world stage, Zhang took the Olympic Oath on behalf of all athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

While last year’s workshop spanned six months, this newly expanded schedule will provide the students with more time to explore the United States between sessions. Arriving on Thursday, March 31, the students will attend an eight-week spring session and a 10-week summer session with a one-week break in between. They will then have three weeks off before the fall session, which will coincide with UW–Madison’s fall 2011 semester.

Classes will include a focus on English as a second language, kinesiology, physical education instruction, dance, American and western history; visits to historical sites in Wisconsin and across the U.S.; and athletic experience via the UW Athletic Department.

UW-Madison kinesiology professor Li Li Ji developed the idea three years ago, preceding a 2008 visit to the United States by a delegation of 11 presidents and deans of top Chinese institutions. The idea for a partnership grew out of discussions between UW–Madison administrators and BSU vice president Chi Jian, leader of the delegation.

The student-athletes are:

Ms. Zhang Yining, table tennis
Ms. Gong Ruina, badminton
Mr. Han Xiaopeng, aerial freestyle skiing
Ms. Tang Jingzhi and Ms. Zhou Yafei, swimming
Ms. Qiu Hongxia, weightlifting
Ms. He Lumin and Ms. Wang Shuo, taekwondo
Ms. Shi Xin, synchronized swimming
Ms. Zhong Hongyan, kayak/sprint canoe
Ms. Liu Xia, judo
Ms. Wang Lihong, softball
Zhou Yan, Liu Yin and Xue Qinshuang, members of the bronze medal team in women’s curling at the 2010 Winter Olympics, will arrive following a tournament in Canada. Their skip, Wang Bingyu, took part in the inaugural Chinese Champions Program last year.

In addition, wrestling coach Chen Delong will participate in the program.