Yang Xuhao, class of 2026 in Mechanical Engineering

Step forward, and you surpass; Run, and progress with the world

 A cycling experience during his freshman year opened a new door to the world of sports for Yang Xuhao. What started as a casual attempt to "stretch his legs" turned into a discovery of his love for endurance sports as he rode at speed. After joining the Cycling Club of Zhejiang University, he truly stepped into the vast realm of competitive sports: frequent group training sessions and participation in competitions not only honed his physical fitness but also ignited his passion for competitive sports.

"The thrill of pushing past my limits, and the moment when I cross the finish line with my teammates—this was my first taste of the charm of competitive sports. It’s not just the exhilaration of breaking through physical boundaries, but also the unspoken trust and support between teammates," he said. What he didn’t expect was that this passion, sparked by the turning of bicycle wheels, would soon find even more extreme expression on the track and field.

Encoruage by his friends, Yang Xuhao tried competitive running for the first time—he signed up for the "Shu Hong Cup" Faculty-Student Relay Race around Zijingang Campus of Zhejiang University. It was his first official running event during his college years. When the final baton was handed over, the warmth from his teammate’s palm mingled with the cheers from the audience. In the instant he sprinted across the finish line, he truly felt the power of teamwork and the exhilaration of pushing past his limits. This initial experience, like a spark, ignited his love for running. 

▲ Yang Xuhao participated in the 4×400m relay at the Zhejiang University Sport Games and won the bronze medal.

From then on, he was no longer satisfied with running casually. "Since then, I’ve gone from being a novice who just followed others to proactively researching training plans, systematically studying sports expertise, consulting school team coaches on movement standards, and focusing on the scientific approach and quality of training," he said. This dedication to scientific training gave every drop of sweat he shed more weight and meaning.

The daily sweat paid off with encouraging rewards—in 2023, he won the bronze medal in the 4×400m relay at the Zhejiang University Sport Games and the silver medal in the men’s 800m at the "Chaoyong International" Faculty-Student Sports Meeting of  International Campus. These medals not only witnessed his growth but also made him truly feel the unique charm of the "faster, stronger" belief in competitive sports.

In the fall of 2024, Yang Xuhao went to UIUC as an exchange student. To his surprise, running turned out to be the "golden key" that helped him break through cultural barriers. Shortly after arriving at UIUC, he joined the Illinois Track and Field Club, immersing himself in the American-style sports training system.

"Every day at 4 p.m., we gather on campus for Easy Runs or cross-country training. In the club, teammates of different skin colors meet with their own cultural imprints, yet they cheer each other on amid the same gasps for breath and share tips through tacit cooperation during stretches," he said.

Training and running side by side with teammates from diverse cultural backgrounds not only improved his competitive level and deepened his understanding of American campus sports culture, but also made him realize that running has long transcended the realm of competition itself to become a universal language connecting the world.

Since March of this year, Yang Xuhao has been active in multiple indoor track and field events, competing alongside club athletes from universities in neighboring states to accumulate practical experience. In early April, he and his teammates embarked on a several-hour drive to Richmond, Virginia, to take on the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association (NIRCA) National Collegiate Club Track and Field Championships.

In this event that brought together elite athletes from universities across the United States, Yang Xuhao’s team, relying on their tacit cooperation and unwavering perseverance, stormed into the top three in the team standings. What’s more, he pushed his limits in the 1500m event, setting a new personal best.

 "Every time I step onto the track, it’s a transcendence of myself," Yang Xuhao reflected. "Here, I’ve not only built up my physical strength through systematic training, but also deeply experienced the emphasis on the spirit of striving in American college sports culture. Competing side by side on the field and sharing experiences after races have allowed me to meet partners from diverse backgrounds who all share a love for track and field. Track and field has not only added brilliance to my study-abroad journey, but also become a unique window for me to cross cultural barriers and observe a pluralistic society."

Starting brings growth; learning requires effort and perseverance

This dedication to pursuing greater speed and strength on the track has also driven Yang Xuhao forward in his academic journey. When he first enrolled at ZJUI, he was once overwhelmed by the significant transition from high school to university. With the careful guidance of faculty and the company of classmates, he gradually realized that youth is accompanied by challenges, and taking the brave first step is the beginning of growth.

"Learning is a discipline that requires perseverance. I have always believed that as long as I keep working hard and persisting, knowledge will burst forth with infinite power," he said. Guided by this belief, he shuttled between the library and the laboratory. In the process of adaptation and exploration, he not only developed his ability for independent learning but also cultivated the habit of deep thinking during his studies, turning every piece of theoretical knowledge into a solid foundation for growth.

"The learning experience at ZJUI has had a profound impact on me. It allowed me to adapt in advance to English teaching and international teaching models, and helped me build a solid professional foundation, making me more confident in my academic studies and overseas exchanges," Yang Xuhao reflected. "At the same time, the highly interdisciplinary nature of ZJUI’s disciplines has enabled me to generate more inspirations while mastering knowledge from multiple disciplines."

Beyond his academic pursuits, Yang Xuhao has actively thrown himself into various competitions, pushing beyond self-imposed limits with fearless courage. In the 5th Zhejiang University College Student Concrete Dragon Boat Race, he led a team named "SENNA," consisting of undergraduate students from class of 2026 in Mechanical Engineering—Xie Zhi'an, Fang Shuohan, Chen Zhichao—and Zhang Tongning, class of 2026 in Computer Engineering. Under the meticulous guidance of Associate Professor Cui Jiahuan from ZJUI, the team, relying on exquisite skills and tacit collaboration, clinched double championships in both the straight-line round-trip race and the curved obstacle race. Riding on this momentum, they went on to secure the third prize with an outstanding performance at the 6th International College Student Concrete Dragon Boat Competition (ICDBC2024) held in Tianjin.

▲ Yang Xuhao's team won the championship in the 5th Zhejiang University College Student Concrete Dragon Boat Race

This ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical results is equally evident in his exploration of robotics. An ordinary robot model, under the ingenious transformation by him and his teammates, can be turned into an invincible "warrior" on the competition field. In his sophomore year, Yang Xuhao served as the leader of the mechanical team in the ZJUI Robo Master Club, and his team won the third prize in the Robo Master University Alliance Competition (Shanghai Station).

"Being the leader of the RoboMaster mechanical team was a crucial part of my exposure to engineering practice," Yang Xuhao shared. "The competition not only taught us teamwork, structural design and coordination with electronic control, but also improved my comprehensive abilities in an all-round way." During the preparation phase, he and his team members stayed rooted in the laboratory, often working until the early hours of the morning. Debugging, optimizing, breaking through—behind the repeated persistence was a dedication to perfection.

"We have experienced the ecstasy of victory, and also missed the championship due to minor mistakes; the anxiety when facing strong opponents and the perseverance in debugging all night are still vivid in my mind," Yang Xuhao recalled. Every failure and success have become a precious mark on his growth path, embodying his love and persistence in engineering practice.

▲ Yang Xuhao and his team participated in the Robo Master University Alliance Competition (Shanghai Station)

Yang Xuhao understands university is not only a treasure trove for acquiring knowledge, but also a growth stage for tempering comprehensive abilities and broadening life horizons. In this vast world, he takes on multiple roles simultaneously: as the Deputy Director of ZJUI Brand Promotion Center, he empowers the brand image with a professional perspective; as the Publicity Representative of Class ME2201, he injects vitality into the class culture with creativity; as a student assistant in the Innovation Laboratory, he explores 3D printing technology in depth. The experience from these different identities has witnessed his all-round growth and transformation.

As the Deputy Director of ZJUI Brand Promotion Center, he always captures every wonderful moment with a keen lens perspective, allowing the interwoven light and shadow to tell the touching stories unique to ZJUI. Under his leadership, the brand promotion team has been full of creative ideas, successively planning and launching a series of themed articles such as the "March 8th Special Issue" paying tribute to women's strength, the "Energy Gas Station" conveying positive youth energy, and the "Light and Shadow Project" showcasing the charm of the campus. These works present the unique style of ZJUI from multiple perspectives, injecting a steady stream of vitality and warmth into brand promotion.