Xu Jiayu (first from right) poses with his teammates with their gold medals on the podium after winning the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. REUTERS
Athletes from Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, have been a consistent presence at the Asian Games since 1978.
In 1978, Xie Fanghua made history as the first athlete from Wenzhou to compete at the Asian Games. Although she did not win any medals, her debut as a 23-year-old sprinter at the Bangkok Asian Games marked a significant milestone for Wenzhou athletes.
Four year later, Dai Lili became Wenzhou's first gold medalist at the Asian Games. At only 18 years old, she claimed gold in both the team and doubles events in women's table tennis at the New Delhi Asian Games. Dai went on to secure two more gold medals at the Seoul Asian Games in 1986, bringing her Asian Games gold medal count to four.
Zhu Ledan made history as Wenzhou's first male Asian Games champion. Despite being relatively unknown in his hometown, Zhu's sporting career had a touch of legend as he transitioned from basketball to rowing and eventually won gold in rowing with his teammates at the Seoul Asian Games in 1986.
From the 2004 Athens Olympics to his retirement after the 2017 National Games of China, Zhu Qinan showcased exceptional form, making him the Wenzhou athlete with the most appearances at the Asian Games. He secured gold medals in multiple air rifle events. Now, Zhu has taken on a new role as head of the competition department for the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, participating in the Games in a different capacity.
Xu Jiayu holds the record for the most gold medals won at the Asian Games among all Wenzhou athletes. He has a remarkable tally of six gold medals, with five achieved at the Jakarta Asian Games. Xu confidently declared his intention to "rewrite the Jakarta five-gold story" before the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, aiming to elevate his gold medal count at the Asian Games into the double digits.
