Five Olympic and world champion athletes from China have been learning and sharing their experiences in Minnesota during the 2018-19 academic year as part of the China Champions Program, now completing its fifth year.

Weightlifting, boxing, skiing, and volleyball are the sports of this year’s cohort. Throughout the year, the athletes have attended specially designed courses in the School of Kinesiology, including academic seminars, workshops, and English as a second language classes. They’ve also visited Minnesota cultural sites and toured University and local professional sports teams’ stadiums, arenas, and training facilities. 

Xia Liu is a three-time world record holder in weightlifting. She won two gold medals at the World Weightlifting Championships in Poland in 2002. 

Shijin Wang received bronze medals at the World Boxing Championships in 2014 and 2016. She also won gold at the China Boxing National Championships in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Also a boxer, Shiqi Xu won gold at the World Boxing Open Championship in 2013 and silver at the 2012 World Boxing Championships. 

Yu Yang took home gold at the Freestyle Skiing Aerials World Cup Championships in 2012, 2013, and 2016. 

Chen Zhang received gold medals at the National University Volleyball League Championships in 2016, 2017, and 2018. 

Led by the School of Kinesiology in collaboration with Beijing Sport University and supported by the China Scholarship Council, the program is a unique, global collaboration that provides mutual benefits for Chinese athletes and University faculty, staff, and students.

Learn more about the China Champions Program, hosted by the School of Kinesiology.