Day One Athlete
Paddleboarding, indoor rock climbing, snooker, kendo, pickleball, air rifle… How much do you know about these cool-sounding, somewhat niche sports?
You might have only seen them in movies, anime or sports competitions, thinking, “That must be really hard” or “Only pros can do that.”
But here’s the truth:
They are incredibly fun, and far more accessible than you would imagine!
If you are curious about unfamiliar sports and wonder whether you could give one a go, you’ve come to the right place!
We are no professional athletes, just ordinary people captivated by niche sports. Everyone has different reasons to be attracted, but we all take our own first step independently with the beginner’s unfamiliarity and curiosity.
I want to get up close to the water to appreciate the scenery—without the barrier of a boat hull, yet without the risks of swimming or surfing. So, I choose paddleboarding: it offers safety, freedom, and a great view, while allowing me to paddle and practice balance—making it an excellent choice for a first foray into water sports.
I am inspired by my idol Yao Chen, who takes rock-climbing to unwind and sparked my interest in the sport. Long hours of desk-bound study leave me mentally tense. Seldom doing full-body exercise, I hope this first-time experience will help me relieve stress and discover my physical potential.
I was drawn to pickleball's stylish, dopamine-colored visuals. Unlike power sports that leave you exhausted, it offers a relaxed vibe perfect for aesthetic photos—letting me stay photogenic without intense physical demand. Plus, its low barrier allows beginners like me to just have fun.
I am inspired by the outstanding achievements of Chinese snooker players. Following Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize’s World Championship titles and China’s historic title defence, snooker has a special meaning to me. This motivates me to try this technically demanding cue sport.
I encountered kendo through characters and scenes in Japanese anime. This sparks my interest in Japanese martial arts and makes me eager to experience kendo. It has deep historical roots in Japanese samurai culture. Through firsthand experience, I hope to explore its traditional swordsmanship and cultural heritage.
Athlete Huang Yuting, who won the gold medal in air rifle at the 2024 Olympics, shared, “The air rifle magnifies a person's emotions onto the target surface. Whether your heart is calm or not, the target paper will tell you.” I hope to choose a project that allows me to calm down and practice.
Though our reasons for getting started varying widely, after our first-time experiences, we truly believe these niche sports are well worth trying for ordinary people.
Behind every attempt lies a personal story. We do not aim to become experts. We simply want to break stereotypes and gain new physical experiences and feelings.
