On November 7, Guangdong secured its fifth diving gold at the 15th National Games, winning both the women's and men's team events. Behind these victories lie years of grassroots training and dedicated practice. Follow GO Guangdong to Zhanjiang Diving School, where young Chinese athletes start their way to the championship.
At 5 p.m., students arrive at the training hall straight from school and begin drilling the fundamentals, such as joint stretches, wall handstands, and trampoline jumps. Each movement is performed with strict attention to form, repeated until perfected.
Handstands are a fundamental part of daily training. Under the constant cues of “Tighten your core!” “Point your toes!” from their coaches, students build the strength and body control crucial to diving. Yang Cheshan, coach of Zhanjiang Diving School, explained that mastering handstands is key to a cleaner and straighter entry into the water.”
At 6 p.m., training shifts to the water. The 30-meter pool is filled with young divers of different ages, repeatedly practicing handstand entries and takeoffs within their specific diving groups to improve vertical alignment and stability. Splashes continually break the surface as the children dive in and climb out.
Despite their youth, the divers remain focused. “Diving is built on repetition and refinement,” said Yang. “Our goal at this grassroots diving school is to lay a solid foundation and prepare talented athletes for provincial and national teams.”
The success of Olympic champion Quan Hongchan has driven interest in Zhanjiang’s renowned diving culture. According to Yang Cheshan, this visibility has encouraged more parents to consider this sport for their children. In addition, the coaches actively scout for potential kids at local kindergartens and primary schools.
Students are grouped by age and level, following tailored training plans. “We practice almost 363 days a year,” Yang said. Even in winter, with no heated pool, students keep the training routine, knowing that a season out of the water would mean a significant setback.
Beyond physical drills, the school uses role models for motivation. “We watched the 15th National Games diving events together to study athletes’ techniques,” said Yang. He highlighted that Nie Jun, a school alumnus, competed in the 15th National Games and got a good place in the race, which represents the level students hope to reach or surpass.
Inside Zhanjiang Diving School, the path to mastery is built on relentless repetition. From handstands and trampoline drills on land to takeoffs, spins, and entries in the water, every technique is practiced again and again. There are no shortcuts, only the gradual perfection of foundational skills through persistent effort.
Established in 2013, Zhanjiang Diving School houses the first indoor diving facility in western Guangdong. As a key provincial training base, it supports elite training, competitions, and public fitness programs. It has long served as the training ground for the diving teams of Zhanjiang City and Chikan District, consistently identifying and developing talent, making it a core part of Zhanjiang’s identity as the “Hometown of Champions.”
Reporter: Ding Hefei, Yin Juewen
Video: Luo Yuan
Poster: Wu Junli
Photo: Ding Hefei
Proofreader: Lai Yuqing