On May 10, the 2025 Asian Canoe Sprint Championships concluded at the Yaohu International Water Sports Center in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. After three days of intense competition, athletes from Shandong achieved an impressive haul of 7 gold medals and 1 bronze.

Sanctioned by the Asian Canoe Confederation, the 2025 Asian Canoe Sprint Championships is a top-tier (Class A) official competition in Asia. The event attracted over 390 athletes, coaches, and technical officials from 19 countries and regions across Asia. The championships featured 24 events, including men’s, women’s, and mixed categories, covering both kayak and canoe disciplines. Race distances included 200m, 500m, and 1000m, offering a broad stage for Asian canoeists to showcase their talents.

A total of 24 gold medals were awarded (12 in events included in the National Games and 12 in non-National Games events). The Chinese team won 16 golds, 6 silvers, and 2 bronzes, with Shandong athletes contributing 7 golds and 1 bronze (5 golds in National Games events, and 2 golds and 1 bronze in non-National Games events).

Notably, Paris Olympic champion Sun Mengya, alongside long-time national teammate Xu Shixiao, claimed the women's C2 500m title with absolute dominance. Sun then went on to win gold in the women’s C1 200m event. On the men’s side, Shandong's Zhang Dong won gold in the men’s K1 1000m race. Yu Yuebing and Yu Chenwei took gold in the men’s C2 500m, while Bu Tingkai, Liang Fengwei, Zhang Dong, and Wang Chi captured the men’s K4 500m title. In the non-National Games events, Zhang Dong added another gold in the men’s K1 500m, and Yu Yuebing won the men’s C1 200m gold.

Prior to this championship, the Shandong Canoe Sprint Team had just won 5 gold medals at the National Championships, also held at the Yaohu International Water Sports Center. Demonstrating even stronger form this time, the Shandong team showcased their strength and style in water sports on the continental stage. It is worth noting that top athletes such as Sun Mengya and Zhang Dong are hitting peak form as they enter the final phase of preparation for the National Games. After this event, the Shandong team will continue intensive training, striving to deliver top performances at the upcoming National Games in the Greater Bay Area.