Retired pro athletes open a new chapter in China's schools

JINAN — At 4 pm, more than 30 students practice basic archery techniques in the Jinxiucheng Primary School training room in Jinan, the capital of East China's Shandong province.

"Keep your hands steady. Even slight movements may affect fluidity," says Li Weibin, head coach of the school's archery club, as he corrects the students' posture.

Li, who competed twice in China's National Games and won the men's title at the 2006 National Outdoor Archery Championships, became a physical education teacher at the primary school after retiring from professional sports through a special recruitment program, bringing his elite experience to the campus.

Archery is not only an official event at the Summer Olympic Games, but also a traditional Chinese sport with a history dating back more than a thousand years. It evolved from hunting to recreation and then into a competitive discipline.

According to Li, introducing archery to primary schools helps identify and nurture young talent, promotes traditional culture, and diversifies school sports beyond ball games.

Drawing on his professional background, Li selects students during regular PE classes who have suitable physical conditions and interest to join the archery club, where he provides systematic training from basic techniques to competition-oriented practice.