Chengdu: Making a remarkable leap from novice in 2021 to captain of China’s brand-new women’s national flag football team, Feng Haolin led the host’s debut at the Chengdu World Games against world No. 4 Austria on Thursday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the amateur-turned-leader made an immediate impact, dishing out four assists in her first major international outing. China’s untested squad stunned many by taking the powerhouse to the wire in a heart-stopping 47-45 defeat.
The Chinese team comprises players from amateur clubs and athletes transitioning from sports like athletics or wrestling. Feng, who has been passionate about sports since childhood, discovered flag football through friends and trained with clubs in Beijing. She expressed how flag football offers a unique feeling of camaraderie and resilience.
When flag football secured its place in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Feng anticipated the emergence of a Chinese national team. However, her dreams faced a significant hurdle in March 2024 when she suffered a torn left ACL during a game. Post-surgery, she spent over a month largely confined to her home during recovery, battling frustration and anxiety.
Her comeback last winter was fraught with challenges, both physically and tactically. When China announced open national team tryouts in early March, Feng almost withdrew her application due to a disappointing performance. Nevertheless, she recognized it as her sole opportunity to become a national athlete.
Despite their impressive debut, China fell to Canada and the United States in subsequent preliminary games. Yet, Feng saw the experience as invaluable, stating it highlighted the current standing of Chinese flag football on the global stage.
Facing a must-win scenario against Mexico on Saturday to reach the semifinals, Feng expressed that just representing China at The World Games is a significant honor with no specific expectations. Off the field, she documents the team’s journey on China’s social media platform Xiaohongshu while working in sports marketing.
Reflecting on her decisions, Feng is grateful she didn’t withdraw from the tryouts, envisioning herself at an older age, proud of her association with China’s women’s flag football team.