National People's Congress delegate Zhang Yufei recently stated: "Let's attract more people to participate in professional sports events."

“I’m just letting you know, it’s time for Nezha to step in.”

In 2016, Zhang Yufei made a striking appearance at the Rio Olympics, sporting a high ponytail styled to resemble Nezha. Though she didn’t step onto the podium that year, nearly nine years later, "Little Nezha" Zhang Yufei has become the first Chinese athlete in Olympic history to clinch double-digit medals overall.

Zhang Yufei, who once dressed up as "Little Nezha" at the Rio Olympics. (File photo) (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Today, the film "Ne Zha 2" ("Ne Zha: The Devil Child's Rampage") is sweeping both domestic and international markets, becoming the first Asian movie to surpass $2 billion at the global box office—and now it’s making serious waves as it challenges for a spot in the top five on the worldwide charts.

"The story of Nezha embodies a spirit of tenacious perseverance and refusal to succumb to fate." On the 3rd, Zhang Yufei, a deputy to the National People's Congress and captain of the Jiangsu Provincial Swimming Team, accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Service amid her busy schedule during the third session of the 14th National People's Congress.

“Young people actually face quite a bit of work pressure these days, and while dealing with it, they could take inspiration from Nezha’s mindset. It’s true that challenges are inevitable—but overcoming them also proves that we’re steadily moving forward,” she said.

Zhang Yufei, born in 1998, was honored as the "Touching China Person of the Year 2023." The award citation read: "She’d rather let her muscles burn late into the night than allow her emotions to sink into defeat. Just like Nezha, who dared to be reborn entirely anew; and like the 'Butterfly Queen,' who emerges only after undergoing a transformative metamorphosis."

Today, the world's "Queen of Butterflies" is giving a thumbs-up to the world's "Nezha." She remarks that when any outstanding work receives widespread acclaim and propels itself to new heights, it’s certainly no mere coincidence. This success also owes much to the directorial team, who meticulously refine every single frame—and through their dedication, they’re introducing traditional Chinese culture to the global stage, showcasing how China continues to lead the way at the forefront of innovation.

Zhang Yufei, who powerfully strides forward on the competition field, is passionate about showcasing Chinese elements to the world. At both the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Paris Olympics, she wore the same panda-inspired hairband.

On August 4, 2024, Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 50-meter freestyle final at the Paris Olympics. Pictured here is Zhang Yufei during the medal ceremony. (File photo) Photo by Fu Tian, China News Service

The fusion of traditional culture and competitive sports has sparked something truly remarkable. In Zhang Yufei's view, these two are remarkably distinct yet uniquely intertwined—paths that eventually converge at a single, magical point. "Athletes in competitive sports can seamlessly blend these two elements, beautifully showcasing China's distinctive cultural heritage."

As a prominent figure in the sports world, Zhang Yufei is focusing this year on cultivating the next generation of competitive athletes, offering relevant recommendations aimed at inspiring more people to get involved in professional sports events. "Young people will undoubtedly become the backbone of the future—they’re full of energy, steadily moving forward, leveraging their unique strengths, and even daring to propose bold new ideas—exactly the kind of qualities that make them truly exceptional."

Speaking about her biggest takeaway from fulfilling her duties, Zhang Yufei feels that the sense of responsibility on her shoulders has grown even heavier—and that her life has become richer as a result. During the 2023 National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, she proposed introducing more "champion-led physical education classes" into schools. Since then, she’s put her words into action by visiting campuses multiple times, even engaging in conversations with primary school students in Hong Kong and Macao.

On August 30, 2024, selected members of the Chinese mainland Olympic delegation traveled to the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Pictured here is national team swimmer Zhang Yufei (left), who posed for a commemorative photo after signing autographs for young swimmers at the institute. (File photo) Photo by China News Service reporter Hou Yu.

In the summer of 2024, Zhang Yufei visited Hong Kong as part of the Chinese mainland Olympic delegation, sharing her love for Hong Kong’s cuisine in Cantonese and creating many memorable, fun moments. After the conclusion of the Two Sessions, Zhang Yufei plans to return to Hong Kong once again to connect with her friends from the Hong Kong swimming team.

During the breaks between sessions, Zhang Yufei still made time for training—her next target is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Speaking about her expected performance, Zhang Yufei said, "Since I’ve already won an Olympic gold medal, my goal has never changed. Every time I compete in the Olympics, my ultimate aim will always be to win the gold."