Hangzhou, China, October 7, 2023: Chinese swimmers Zhang Yufei and Qin Haiyang have been named Female and Male, respectively, Most Valuable Player of the 19th Asian Games.
The two winners were announced during a press conference in the Main Media Centre on Saturday night which was sponsored by Loongair – one of the Prestige Partners of the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Zhang, China’s “Madame Butterfly”, won six gold medals at the Asian Games, while breaststroke king Qin won five gold medals and one silver.
The two athletes could not attend the press conference due to swimming commitments in Germany, so their awards were collected by teammates.
Both prize-winners appeared by video link, and expressed their thanks and honour in being named MVP and adding that the Hangzhou Asian Games would remain a special memory in their life, not only for the medals but also the support and high spirits of the volunteers, spectators and team.
Zhang said: “This award is a new milestone for me and will make me work harder for the Paris Olympics next summer.”
Qin said winning the MVP award was not in his plans, as he just wanted to make personal breakthroughs.
“I had a great time at these Asian Games and I will aim for new highs in Paris next year,” Qin said.
Zhang, 25, won gold in the women’s 50m freestyle and notched a 50m-100m-200m butterfly treble, along with two relay golds.
Qin, 24, won five gold medals – in the men’s 50m-100m-200m breaststroke and in two relays – and added a silver in the men’s 200m individual medley.
Loongair Chairman Liu Qihong described the two Chinese swimmers as true superstars, and said he had witnessed “glory and dreams, sweat and tears” during the days of competition at Hangzhou. He also announced the award of a platinum card to both swimmers, giving them special conditions and privileges when travelling on Loongair, as well as an unlimited travelling ticket for one year.
The OCA’s Honorary Life Vice President, Wei Jizhong, chaired the six-member selection committee comprised of one representative from each of the OCA’s five zones to make sure all performances by the 45 National Olympic Committees had been monitored. He added that the selection of the two winners was based on five criteria: competition performance including number of medals and broken records; sportsmanship; influence on the public; discipline and fair play.
The OCA Acting President, Raja Randhir Singh, presented the awards to teammates of the winners, and also handed over prize money of USD25,000 each.
