Since the beginning of the first semester, the inaugural class of Schwarzman scholars at Tsinghua University has taken part in various sports events both in and outside the university. Their active involvement and repeated success demonstrate strong enterprising spirit and tremendous leadership potential.
On October 16, a total of 1,676 athletes from 58 countries and regions participated in the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in Hefei. Alex Springer, a Schwarzman Scholar, performed superbly in the fierce competition. Finishing fourth in the 18-24 age group, he’s likely to earn a qualifying slot for the 2017 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. He also plans to compete in other events like the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in Xiamen during his studies at Tsinghua.
Alex Springer, a Schwarzman Scholar, participates in IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in Hefei.
Caught up in triathlon since senior high school, Alex was a member of the varsity team at MIT. Over the years, he insisted on physical training and built a strong body. He said, “It’s my honor to compete in matches as a Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University.”
Alex Springer, a Schwarzman Scholar, competes in the bike segment of IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in Hefei.
Alex believed that sports are an important way to shape leadership. “Leaders are very driven in nature. Sports pose an all-round challenge to our body and mind, and encourage us to keep pushing through the limit .”
There’re many sports-loving scholars in Schwarzman College like Alex. Actively participating in sports events organized by the university, they viewed sports as a good chance to build up their body, temper their will power, and push through their own limits.
David Li, Dean of Schwarzman College, once wrote an article on the relationship between the love of sports and leadership. He wrote: Athletes tend to stand out in society because they have unbeatable confidence and genuine charisma, two must-have qualities of a successful person.
Dean David Li communicates with students.
Not long ago, Schwarzman College attended the Tsinghua Graduate School Track and Field Sports Meeting for the very first time, and outperformed all other team in terms of team total score, men’s total score and women’s total score. The team also participated in several events in the ongoing Ma Yuehan Cup Sports Games, namely basketball, volleyball, and chess, achieving excellent results.
Executive Dean David Pan celebrates the victory of a basketball game with students.
Associate Dean Jason Cheng takes a group photo with men’s basketball team.
Schwarzman College team achieves good results in Tsinghua Graduate School Track and Field Sports Games
Participating in school-wide sports events, Schwarzman scholars tasted the joy of sports, honed their body, tempered their will, and made many more friends. In addition, the vast diversity of sports events also presented a golden opportunity for them to assimilate into Tsinghua’s culture, experience the “sports-loving” tradition, and the spirit of “Self Discipline and Social Commitment”.
In addition to taking part in sports events in and outside the university, Schwarzman Scholars made physical exercise an integral part of their lives. Jessica Hocken (American) and Jasmin Stadler (Swiss) joined the morning jogging team as soon as they arrived at Tsinghua. Yoga practitioners were a common sight in the sunken courtyard of the college. Practicing martial arts and Tai Chi, the scholars both worked out and deepened their understanding of traditional Chinese culture.
Jessica Hocken (American, 4th from the left in the front row) and Jasmin Stadler (Swiss, 5th from the left in the front row) are members of the morning jogging team at Tsinghua.
Sports are a powerful tool for shaping leadership. That’s why Tsinghua has made sports an important way to develop leadership abilities. President Qiu Yong said, college sports were essential to cultivating innovative talents with all-round development. While the physical health of students was falling across China, Tsinghua should take the lead in sports. Thanks to the strong support from the Division of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Schwarzman College also provided the scholars with information on sports activities, organized them to take part in competitions, and offered necessary logistics support. In the future, Schwarzman scholars would continue to compete on the sports field and display real leadership qualities.
