Ni Mengxian updates the audience on a game's progress. [Photo/Tide News]

During the ice hockey competition at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin on Feb 11, Ni Mengxian, a domestic technical official and announcer from Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, made a name for herself with her clear and commanding voice.

Ni's journey into ice sports began as a volunteer. As a Chinese language teacher at Tsinghua University High School-Jiaxing — the only school in Jiaxing with an ice hockey rink — she was introduced to ice sports when her school hosted major events such as the 2024/2025 Chinese National Figure Skating Club League and the Zhejiang Youth Ice Hockey Championship. Volunteering at these competitions, she developed a deep passion for the sport.

Determined to excel as an announcer, Ni dedicated herself to mastering the technical aspects of ice hockey, including specialized terminology, game rules, and referee signals. Her commitment and distinctive voice caught the attention of the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, earning her a spot as an announcer in the inaugural Chinese Ice Hockey League in Shenzhen. Her outstanding performance there led to her selection as a domestic technical official for the 2025 Asian Winter Games ice hockey competition.

Arriving in Harbin in late January, Ni came well-prepared, carrying notebooks filled with essential ice hockey knowledge and bilingual announcement scripts. She focused on mastering official terminology and ensuring smooth coordination with English-speaking announcers. Her biggest challenge, she admitted, was accurately pronouncing the names of international players. However, after a few moments of initial nervousness, she quickly adapted to the fast-paced nature of the game, delivering clear and precise announcements throughout the matches.

Ni's work at the Asian Winter Games continued until Feb 14. Now that the event has concluded, she has returned to her teaching responsibilities, bringing with her invaluable experience. She hopes to further contribute to the growth of ice hockey in southern China and inspire more young people to engage in winter sports.