Standing on top of the podium at the Hangzhou Asian Games, China's Olympic gold-winning canoeists Xu Shixiao and Sun Mengya have set their sights on
Xu and Sun, gold medalists at the Tokyo Olympic Games, clocked two minutes and 1.409 seconds to bag a gold in the women's C2 500 of canoe sprint at the Hangzhou Asiad here on Monday.
After triumphing at the Olympic Games, Asian Games and China's National Games, the duo looks forward to facing the challenges ahead at Paris 2024.
Since the 2019 World Championships, they have won every major race, including their third straight victory in the C2 500 event in the 2023 edition of the worlds. The duo also competed in a World Cup game on September 1 in the venue of Paris 2024 and powered their way to the top of the podium.
"Achieving these positive outcomes we have today, it requires several generations' of work. Salutations to my coaches and every member on my team," Xu said.
The Chinese canoe team started using a more advanced specific physical training system in 2006, which not only served to enhance the physical condition of the athletes, but also can effectively help them reduce their injuries.
Many athletes, including Xu, Sun, and others, are benefiting from the system.
Xu once retired in 2013. The 31-year-old made a quick comeback after the women's canoe returns to the Olympic program before Tokyo 2020.
"Xu needed to make more sacrifices as a female veteran in order to maintain her world-class level," Li Xin, deputy manager of the Chinese canoe team, told Xinhua.
Since the pair was established, they have become great friends.
"I have an outstanding partner. We complement each other not only in ages, but also in personalities. I think that's our advantages," Xu said.
In her opinion, defending the title is more difficult than winning it.
"Our main purpose of this competition is to conclude this year on a high note and lay a solid foundation for next year's Olympic Games in Paris. To defend our Olympic title, we have to keep improving," said Xu.
Despite achieving a grand slam, the duo has left their glories behind to look into the future.
"We will face a tough competition in Paris, but we are afraid of no one," Xu added.
