Boys of the PKU Rowing Crew
- Source: Global Times
- [23:20 September 22 2009]
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PKU Crew helmsman Chen Guangyu raises their trophy in victory as Guan Lei (far right) and other teammates celebrate at the 2009 World Top University Rowing Challenge in Yuxi,Yunnan Province on August 30. Photo: Courtesy of Liu Zheng
By Wen Ya
Amid furious competition from collegiate rowing powerhouses such as Harvard, Yale, Cambridge and the University of London, Peking University (PKU) grabbed gold at the 2009 World Top University Rowing Challenge on Fuxian Lake, Yuxi, Yunnan Province last month.
Despite a rower dropping an oar in the first round and slipping to sixth place in the second, PKU bounced back and rallied to pull ahead of Yale for the win, marking the team's second victory at the Challenge since taking first place in 2005.
At an average height of 1.9 m, the 12-member team has all the more reason to walk tall on campus this semester.
Hailing from the PKU School of Law and consistently racking up wins at both domestic and international competitions, these scholarshipped student-athletes at the most prestigious university in the country are some of the best (and most handsome) China has to offer.
No pain, no gain
But with prestige comes pressure. Training after class, on weekends and during the holidays, the life of a PKU rower consists mostly of sore muscles and cut-up hands.
"When we first started training, our hands were covered with blisters, the skin almost totally separated from the flesh," explained Zhang Rui, one of the team's captains.
"My parents don't like to see my hands so torn up from practice. But they always support my rowing," Huang Weilun, a sophomore from Liaoning Province, said.
Another captain Guan Lei, a 23-year-old senior, said due to their packed and hectic schedules, he only gets 20 days a year at home.
His teammate Huang sympathizes. "Yeah it gets really tiring. But when I think of standing on the victory platform, I'm really happy," Huang said.
However, the life of a rower has more kicks than just winning medals.
"Many students think rowers are pretty cool, and there are a lot of girls who like us," said Zhang Rui with a smile.
"Almost every rower has a girlfriend, and they all get along well with each other," Guan said. "Sometimes, they come to see us compete without telling anyone, afraid they might distract us."
Good thing that some members are keeping it all in perspective.
"Hey, I'm just a very regular guy," said Huang.
Then again, rowers can't help but turn heads, especially while in their underwear.
