Ningbo becomes 'a cradle' for Olympic gold medalists

Wang Shun celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's 200m individual medley. [Photo/IC]

Athletes from Ningbo city in East China's Zhejiang province won five gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which concluded on Aug 8.

China won a total of 38 gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics. Ningbo, which has a permanent population of 9.4 million, and Shanghai, which nears 25 milliion in permanent population, equally contributed the highest number of gold medalist winners among all Chinese cities.

Ningbo born and raised athlete Yang Qian won one gold medal in the women's 10-meter air rifle competition and another gold medal in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team competition. The 21-year-old started her formal training at Ningbo Sports School in 2010.

Swimmer Wang Shun, another Ningbo native, won one gold medal in the men's 200m individual medley competition. The 27-year-old clocked an Asian record time of one minute and 55.00 seconds.

Guan Chenchen won a gold medal in the women's balance beam competition. The 17-year-old was born in Central China's Hubei province but moved to Ningbo in 2012.

Weightlifter Shi Zhiyong broke world records to win the gold medal in the men's 73kg category. The 28-year-old was born in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region but moved to Ningbo in 2005.

A netizen's remark that shooter Yang, swimmer Wang, gymnast Guan, and weightlifter Shi respectively showcases the city's perfectionism, momentum, calmness, and strength went viral among Ningbo residents.