Since its inception in 2019, the “My Champion Teacher – Elite Athletes on Campus” series has brought numerous outstanding athletes from the track to the classroom. Exchanging medals for a teacher’s role, they have shared stories of perseverance and the power of determination, nurturing young minds across Shanghai.
In 2026, coinciding with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe’s historic 1:59:30 victory at the London Marathon—making him the first athlete to break two hours in an official marathon—the program invited Chinese men’s track and field athlete and marathon international master Sheng Wang to Shanghai Jianping Xiangmei Middle School. There, he shared his inspiring sports journey with students and faculty.
Jianping Xiangmei Middle School, established in 2009, is a high-quality public junior high school in Pudong New Area. Located near Century Park and close to major cultural landmarks such as the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the school benefits from its affiliation with the Jianping Education Group. The campus spans nearly 40 mu, with over 12,500 square meters of buildings and lush greenery, creating an ideal environment for learning and sports.
The school has excelled in various sports competitions. In the 17th Shanghai Games, its teams won 8 gold, 4 silver, and 10 bronze medals. In 2024, they secured the basketball junior high group championship at the Shanghai Student Games and multiple team titles in fencing. In 2025, they won the Shanghai Middle School Basketball Cup and the Pudong Student Sunshine Sports League 3-on-3 basketball championship. Over the past three years, more than a thousand students and faculty have won awards in municipal and national competitions. Student enrollment has grown from 600 in 2020 to nearly 2,000.
Principal Li Yanfeng and students warmly welcomed Sheng Wang at the school gate. A student presented flowers, and the principal accompanied Sheng on a campus tour. During the official event, Principal Li stated, “We love sports because sports are part of loving life. They teach us persistence, transcendence, and growth. We should learn from Champion Teacher Sheng Wang’s dedication, understanding, skills, and dreams in sports.”
In an interactive session, Sheng Wang engaged with school basketball and fencing team members and student sports enthusiasts. He vividly recounted his journey with various sports—football, basketball, tennis, badminton—and particularly his connection to running. A winner of the 2025 Huangpu Half Marathon and the 2024 Shunde Half Marathon, Sheng Wang lives by the motto, “Measure persistence with every step, write speed with sweat.” He has trained daily since 2019, embodying the marathon philosophy of “surpassing oneself every second.” He told students, “Running is simple. You can run anywhere, in any season. If you start moving, you’re a runner and a winner.” Having competed in hundreds of marathons over six or seven years, Sheng emphasized that championships come from accumulated experience. He enjoys the cheers, the finish line, and the satisfaction of overcoming challenges. He also stressed the importance of passion and scientific training.
During a gift exchange, Principal Li presented Sheng with a school T-shirt and a custom bear. In return, Sheng gave the school a Shanghai University of Sport champion shirt and a national college team race shirt, conveying his blessings and promoting positive sportsmanship.
Sheng then led a specialized fitness training session for the school’s sports teams. Afterward, many students gathered around him, discussing their discoveries and feelings about sports. This interaction boosted their skills and fostered teamwork and sports literacy.
This event marked the fourth stop of the 2026 “My Champion Teacher” series. Guided by the Shanghai Sports Bureau, the program is organized by Five-Star Sports, bringing sportsmanship, culture, and champions to campuses. Five-Star Sports plans to continue promoting youth sports culture and spreading the spirit of Shanghai sports to more primary and secondary schools.