At the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Championships held in Milan, Italy, Wang Nan, an athlete from Lishui, Zhejiang province, won the women's 200-meter single kayak event on Aug 24, with a time of 41.46 seconds.

Wang Nan clinches gold at the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Championships in Milan, Italy. [Photo provided by Wang Nan]

Wang contributed to the Chinese national team's silver medal in the women's 500-meter four kayak event earlier on Aug 22. The team narrowly missed gold by 0.1 seconds, marking China's first world silver in this event in 30 years.

She also placed fifth in the women's 500-meter single kayak event.

Despite a tight schedule, Wang refocused and delivered a powerful performance in the 200-meter final. Starting in lane two, she accelerated in the final stretch to secure victory.

Born in 2000 in Qingyuan county of Lishui, Wang was selected for the Zhejiang provincial canoe team in 2014, and quickly rose through national and youth competitions. She joined the national team in 2019 and has since won multiple titles, including gold at the National Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games.

This year, Wang continued her strong form by winning double gold in the national championships, qualifying for the upcoming 15th National Games. As one of the youngest athletes on the national team, she has already established herself as a key competitor.