Huang Lei is a third-year undergraduate majoring in business administration at the College of Management and Economics. She topped in women’s 800m freestyle in group C at the 20th China University Swimming Championship and the swimming trials of the 31st Summer World University Games.
“I love swimming so I persist in practicing until now.” Huang Lei was born in Xiamen, a southern city in China's Fujian Province adjacent to the sea, and many beautiful sea views can be found in her WeChat Moments.
Maybe she is destined for swimming. She started learning swimming since a selection in kindergarten. Over these years, her peers gradually gave up, but she has been committed to it out of her passion for swimming.
Over more than 10 years of swimming practice, there are gains and losses for Huang. Every weekend, when others are partying, shopping, or staying in the dormitory idly, Huang is training.
When it comes to training, injuries are inevitable. “My waist has always been plagued with pain, and there are always minor body injuries.” Before this year’s competition, Huang accidentally twisted her ankle. After icing and adjusting herself, she surprisingly took the lead in the national competition for the first time. Besides, she also needs to control weight and keep a strict diet in daily life.
Swimming not only tones the body, but also tempers the will. In the swimming team, every member meets each other every day and shares the same interests, deepening mutual understanding and friendship. It should be noted that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in the past winter which is coldest winter in Tianjin in 24 years, Huang and her teammates rode on a bike to Tianjin Nankai Middle School for training. The training field there was not as big as the TJU’s swimming pool, and there were only two lanes for the whole team of 12. Despite these difficulties, the team worked harder, and became more united and cooperative. This spirit of collaboration has made Huang better at her study. For example, in group work, she can better cooperate with others with the whole situation in her mind.
Speaking of the difficulties in training, she said that sometimes she also felt tired, but she would continue to train after a break because swimming is in her DNA. The support of her family and friends has always been her driving force, meanwhile some of her friends have started going swimming because of her. Her favorite swimmer Zhang Yufei (women's 200m butterfly swimming champion in Tokyo Olympic Games) once said “I can lose, but I will never be defeated.” The resilience Zhang possesses has a huge influence on Huang, driving her to improve the skills and forge her perseverance in the face of difficulties.
Besides swimming, Huang has been studying photography. “I like to capture the beauty of life through my camera lens. Be it the sunrise or sunset, sea or mountains, food or figures, even the ordinary streets, they are a reflection of people’s passion of life, so is mine.”
Huang Lei's photographic works
Huang Lei expects to stay competitive and strive for bigger breakthroughs in coming competition events.
Broad sea bears springing fins, and vast sky breeds soaring feathers. Huang’s passion for swimming will support her to achieve better results and shine on her journey through life.
By Zhang Huiting
Editor: Eva Yin
