"Coach Wang" returns home - with Team USA in tow

by sportswriters Wang Chujie, Wang Meng and Xu Dongyuan

BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- During the 2025 Archery World Cup in Shanghai, the stands echoed with the Beijing-accented call of "Da Niu" - a colloquial term for young women. Responding to that call was a Chinese woman in a Team USA uniform: Wang Chensi, team leader of the U.S. archery squad for the Shanghai leg.

Wang has gained a modest following on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, where she frequently shares her passion for archery. During the World Cup which concluded on May 11, her online followers visibly increased, and more and more Chinese spectators began to recognize her at the venue - a touching moment for someone returning to her homeland.

A Beijing native, Wang graduated in 2010 with a degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Beijing Union University. She became a Chinese language teacher at a local elementary school, where she worked for six years. Unsatisfied with a life of routine, she decided it was time to explore the wider world.

"That internet saying, 'The world is so big, I want to see it,' perfectly described my mindset at the time. I wanted to challenge myself," she said. Acting decisively, Wang applied in 2016 for a master's degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language and completed her studies at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan.

"Unlike most students who go abroad, I had worked for six years before studying overseas. As an 'older' student, I thought things through more carefully and had a clearer career plan," she explained.

After graduating, she remained in the U.S. to teach Chinese. Then the COVID-19 pandemic brought her busy life to a halt. By chance, she walked into the Demmer Shooting Sports and Education Center at Michigan State University - a moment that marked the beginning of her journey with archery.

"Back then, the center was only open twice a week due to the pandemic, and we had to practice with masks on. I often missed meals, but I loved the sport so much I didn't want to waste even a second," Wang recalled.

Possessing a solid athletic foundation from her childhood in table tennis, Wang progressed rapidly in archery despite starting from scratch. As children of visiting scholars from China began showing interest in the sport, the center found itself in need of a bilingual coach and translator - a role Wang stepped into as a provisional coach.

"The kids started calling me Coach Wang, which made me feel a bit embarrassed since I wasn't certified yet," she said.

Fueled by both passion and responsibility, she enrolled in the U.S. archery coaching certification program. Between 2021 and 2023, she obtained the USA Archery Level 4 NTS (National Training System) coach certificate in record time. Her dedication and performance in state competitions led to her selection as a torchbearer representing Michigan at the 2024 State Games of America.

At the Shanghai leg of the World Cup, Wang juggled a demanding schedule in her role as team leader. Before arriving in China, she helped her teammates install popular local apps like WeChat and DiDi. She also introduced them to local cuisine, proudly acting as both guide and cultural ambassador. Wang hopes archery can become a bridge between China and the U.S.

"Archery techniques differ between Asia and the West. We can learn from each other and push the sport forward together," she said. "Sports know no borders."

During the tournament in Shanghai, Wang received many messages from young fans asking her to get autographs from star athletes. She encouraged them to approach the athletes themselves: "The important part isn't getting the signature, but the experience of speaking with them."

"Our younger athletes in the team can be shy too. Some hesitate to swap jerseys with members of other teams. I always encourage them to take that first step. You have to be brave and move forward," Wang said. Enditem