Despite Winning Equestrian Championship Star Rider in Tears at Asian Games 2023

It is a flowery time for the Chinese equestrianism. They recently put up a formidable performance at the Asian Games 2023. Riding on that, they clinched the two gold medals in individual and team events. This is the first time in the history of the competition that a Chinese team or an individual won a gold medal in the Asian Games since the sport was inducted into the games in 1982.

The individual gold medal was won by none other than their equestrian star Alex Hua Tian. The three-time Olympian was excited after winning the medal and considered it would boost equestrianism in the country. Post the win, Tian opened up about his emotions and thoughts with the media.

Equestrian star lets emotion flow after historic win

Alex Hua Tian recently opened up in an interview with China Daily reporter Shi Futian on his Asian Games win. Discover Yuhang posted the video on their Facebook page where the equestrian spoke his heart out. On being asked about how was the feeling of standing atop the podium, Tian’s reply was, “I think I was thinking, don’t cry, don’t cry!” The ecstatic equestrian said that it would take him days, weeks, or even months to process the win.

Tian also did not forget to give due credit to all the others who crafted his way to victory. During the interview, he said that was proud of his team, teammates, and the federation as they all were working towards this goal. He had a special mention for his horse Steg of Haiwang as he said that is has been in excellent form lately.

Tian was the youngest rider to participate in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and also the first Chinese rider in the history of the Olympics. He had participated in three Olympics, placing twenty-fifth in the individual category at the Tokyo Olympics. In his earlier participation at the Asian Games, he won a silver medal in Incheon 2014 and a bronze medal in Jakarta in 2018. However, winning this time on home soil was different. He also felt that the momentum for the sport was already building in the country. Another authority of equestrianism also vouched for this.

Equestrian sports have grown in China in the last decade

The equestrian sports have spread in China in the last ten years, according to Ingmar De Vos, the FEI president. Speaking to China Daily, the FEI president explained that when he visited the country in 2011 there were only thirty equestrian clubs but now the number has grown to over three thousand clubs. This statement signifies the effort and hard work placed by the Chinese equestrian authority to reach the level that they are in today.

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The equestrian triumph by the Chinese team is historic and shall push equestrianism in the country for further for better. Stars like Alex Hua Tian are instrumental in developing the game and creating influence among the public for the sport.

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