Feature: From novice to national captain, Feng Haolin's flag football odyssey

CHENGDU, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Making a remarkable leap from novice in 2021 to captain of China's brand-new women's national flag football team, Feng Haolin led the host's debut at the Chengdu World Games against world No. 4 Austria on Thursday.

The amateur-turned-leader made an immediate impact, dishing out four assists in her first major international outing. China's untested squad stunned many by taking the powerhouse to the wire in a heart-stopping 47-45 defeat.

The Chinese team includes players from amateur clubs and athletes crossing over from sports like athletics or wrestling. Feng, passionate about sports since childhood, discovered flag football through friends and trained with clubs in Beijing.

"It's different from sprinting," Feng said. "Flag football gives you the feeling that no matter how tough it gets, you have teammates beside you."

When flag football secured its place in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Feng sensed a Chinese national team would emerge. That dream, however, faced a major threat. In March 2024, she suffered a torn left ACL during a game. Following surgery, she spent over a month largely confined to her home during recovery.

"I couldn't sleep and felt frustrated losing control of my life," Feng said. "I was anxious and scared, feeling like I was falling behind while others improved."

Her comeback last winter proved challenging: Feng struggled physically and tactically in her first match back. So when China announced open national team tryouts in early March, she nearly withdrew her application following that underwhelming performance.

"I thought about pulling out," she admitted. "But it was my only shot at becoming a national athlete. I'm lucky - had tryouts been scheduled just months earlier during my injury, I couldn't have participated."

Despite their impressive debut, China fell to Canada and the United States in subsequent preliminary games. Yet Feng recognized the value: "Competing against these world powers as a new team shows us exactly where Chinese flag football stands."

Facing a must-win scenario against Mexico on Saturday to reach the semifinals, Feng said: "Just representing China at The World Games is a huge honor. I have no specific expectations."

Off the field, Feng leverages her platform as an influencer on China's social media platform Xiaohongshu, documenting the team's journey, while also working in sports marketing. With the pioneering national squad still solidifying its roster, every player knows spots are contested. "That doubt pushes me to train harder," Feng admitted.

Reflecting on her choice, she added, "Maybe at 70 or 80, I'll look back thankful I didn't withdraw that application. I'll have bragging rights with my old lady friends about being part of China's women's flag football team." ■