It has been nearly a month since the end of Australia’s women’s basketball World Cup. After relaxing in Sydney for a few days, women’s basketball Chinese players have already returned home one after another. During the interview, Han Xu, the center of the team, will start a holiday life.

During the isolation of the hotel, she found a rare leisure time. In addition to maintaining physical fitness, Han Xu shared common good things with netizens and showed his talent for painting from time to time.

Image source: Han Xu Weibo

“If you want to pass your driver’s license, if you still have the chance to play overseas, it will be more convenient to drive by yourself.” Talking about the coming holiday, Han Xu said with interest.

Her other plan was to reunite with her family. Since the beginning of the battle FIFA World Cup qualification, Han Xu has not returned home this year. After the World Cup finals, she made a video connection with her father Han fashun. Looking at her daughter wearing silver medal, his father said happily, “hurry home and your mother will make dumplings for you.”

This year is the fourth year for Han Xu to enter the national team and the second time to set foot on the World Cup. In the eyes of the International Basketball Federation, she is a perfect interpretation of “talented players. Along the way, the girl who loved to laugh had also confronted the low ebb, only to rebuke mediocrity.

　　Growth · Tsinghua Affiliated High School

Han Xu, who was born in a basketball family, came into contact with this sport very early. When she was a student, she was far taller than her peers. “Only when my parents bring me happiness in sports can I like sports.” She recalled.

After graduating from primary school, 11-year-old Han Xu came to Beijing alone and spent 6 years of high school time in the Affiliated High School of Tsinghua University. During the training day after day, her size jumped to more than 2 meters.

Image source: respondents for pictures

“After the afternoon course, go straight to the basketball court to start training. Sometimes it takes only 40 minutes to eat and take a bath, so you need to study at night. Such a day goes by and the next day will start again.”

The hard experience on the court has rapidly improved Han Xu’s basic skills and ability to read matches. As a center, now her “fast moving” feature makes her opponent very headache. As everyone knows, Han Xu, who was a child, once trained skills with the defender.

　　Trough Tokyo Olympic Games

On August 28, 2017, the final of the women’s basketball youth group of the 13th National Games ended, and Shandong team defeated Guangdong team to win the championship. Han Xu, who was a high school student at that time, was thin and tall, and needed to face Li Yuelu, who had been elected to the national team.

On the side of the court, Yao Ming, chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, and Xu Limin, the then head coach of China women’s basketball, watched what happened on the court. At the end of the game, Han Xu scored 16 points.

“I have participated in the National Youth and national youth women’s basketball before, and the finals of the national games have played a better role. Maybe Xu’s guidance remembered me.”

Image source: respondents for pictures

After graduating from high school, Han Xu experienced a period of empty window and planned the future from time to time. It was also at that time that she waited for the national team to be called up.

At that time, Han Xu was only 18 years old and had not even played a professional league.

In the group match of the women’s basketball World Cup in 2018, the Chinese team played against the world’s first American team. Young and fearless Han Xu scored 20 points, amazing world.

After that, she was selected by the New York Free Men Team to log on to WNBA. At the talent show conference, Xu Limin’s ocean blessing video made Han Xu cry. She was recognized by her teacher and couldn’t help herself.

However, when the outside world expects Han Xu to lead China to achieve another success in women’s basketball, the pressure is like a shackle to imprison this “Star of Hope.

Image source: respondents for pictures

Han Xu is 21 years old in Tokyo Olympic Games.

When the Chinese team played a group match with the Belgian team, Huang Jing, then the psychological tutor of China’s women’s basketball, was also paying attention to the game in Beijing and Shougang Basketball Center, which was more than 2,000 kilometers away. Han Xu, who was high in height, was replaced after one-on-one attacks failed.

After the game, Huang Jing dialed Han Xu’s voice call. “I didn’t score a few goals, and I was very upset.” Han Xu was not satisfied with the performance of the stadium. Facing some anxious voice on the phone, Huang Jing said earnestly, “you must have confidence in yourself. It is better to get into a good situation than to drive higher and lower.”

Image source: respondents for pictures

In Xu Limin’s view, this brave center who was preparing for the war was far more capable than this. “Across the country, Han Xu feels very good in three points, even better than the shooting skills of outside lines (players).” Looking at the disciple sitting on the bench in frustration, he said firmly, “I believe you”.

In Tokyo, Han Xu often couldn’t sleep, and various offensive and defensive rounds appeared in his mind. Due to excessive psychological pressure, she was in a state that did not meet her expectations. The anger hit her heart and Han Xu gave birth to a concubine on her nose.

In this way, Han Xu repeatedly switched in preparation and competition, hoping to play a normal level. The most profound experience brought to her by the Olympic trip was to maintain a steady state of mind.

　　Transformation · Women’s Basketball World Cup

This state continued until the World Cup qualifier at the beginning of the year. After returning to China, Han Xu’s technology and psychology were at a low level. However, she decided to return to WNBA and challenge the world’s highest level women’s basketball league again.

“Imagine yourself as ‘xiaoqiang ‘, hoping that like it, you will not be defeated by difficulties every time, and you can get up and stand up again.” During the conversation, Han Xu revealed the origin of the nickname “Xiao Qiang Xu.

When she came to New York again, she was more adapted to the local life. Han Xu, who lives in the apartment next to the Barclays Center Stadium, will watch recipes and learn to cook Chinese food after training.

Image source: respondents for pictures

During the season, Han Xuhe special coach conducted position technical training. From the walking to the steps of the basket, targeted intensive exercises made her progress significantly. In the past season, Han Xu has played the best in many matches.

Two weeks before the start of the women’s basketball World Cup, Han Xu flew to Serbia to join the national team. Including Australia, she has moved to 4 countries in the past 10 months.

On September 30, 2022, Sydney Olympic Park Super Dome stadium. The Chinese team met with the host Australia in the semi-final of the World Cup, which was a hand-to-hand battle of “going home after losing.

Image source: respondents for pictures

At 4 minutes 42 seconds before the end of the final game, the Chinese team, which almost led the whole game, was defeated by the score. In the next round, Han Xu, who is 2 meters 07 meters, will take the position twice in a row. Under the double attack defense, the whistle hit.

In the end, China defeated its opponent women’s basketball and entered the World Cup final again after 28 years.

The team members threw the coach Zheng Wei Gao to celebrate the victory. “Zheng’s guidance was very hard. During the training, she spent a lot of time studying tactics. Everyone was moved when she was thrown into the air.”

That night, Han Xu cut 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the efficiency value was the highest.

Image source: respondents for pictures

In this competition, Han Xu was selected as the best team. For the hard-won award, she regards it as a glorious honor in her life journey.

Summarizing the journey of the World Cup, Han Xu once again mentioned the word “mentality”, which was the key factor to promote her growth. “My mentality is right, and I will enjoy the game on the court.” She said.

Image source: respondents for pictures

A few days ago, the International Basketball Federation praised Han Xu, saying that this big man from China has great talent, which makes more people see the future of women’s basketball. For this, Han Xu seems very modest, “the good performance of the World Cup cannot be separated from training and competition exercise, thanks to the training and support of the country. Continue to work hard in the future and move forward to the next goal.”

On October 31, Han Xu celebrated his 23rd birthday.

Many people say that “Han Xu holds up China’s women’s basketball insiders”, which is indeed what she has always wanted to do. Since entering the national team at the age of 18, Han Xu hopes to take on more in the future.

When the promise was fulfilled, Han Xu became a “world-class player”.

I still remember when she was in primary school, she wrote four words at the top of the blackboard with chalk: basketball star.

Now, she has done it.

Author: Liu Xingchen