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Wang Lan pitches during a softball game in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province on Sept 26. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

The softball events of the 2023 Asian Games kicked off at the Shaoxing Softball Sports and Culture Center on Sept 26.

During the match, pitcher Wang Lan took the mound in the fourth and fifth innings, delivering an impressive performance in the fifth inning by striking out three South Korean batters consecutively. The result was a resounding 9-0 victory for the Chinese women's softball team, marking a triumphant start to their campaign.

As a seasoned veteran in the world of softball, 36-year-old Wang is gracing the Asian Games stage for the fourth time. Her journey with the Chinese women's softball national team began in 2005, and she has previously stood on the podium at the Asian Games, clinching one silver and two bronze medals.

Returning for her fourth Asian Games, Wang couldn't help but reflect on the passage of time.

"Representing the national team for many years and competing against top athletes from around the world has significantly improved my skills. Over the past decade, my pitch speed has consistently remained above 110 kilometers per hour," Wang commented.

In 2022, the Zhejiang Softball Association successfully recruited Wang from Jiangsu to help establish the Zhejiang provincial softball team. In doing so, Wang embraced her identity as a "new Shaoxing resident."

The goal for Wang and her teammates at this edition of the Asian Games is crystal clear – to clinch the elusive gold medal. It has been a quarter of a century since the Chinese women's softball team last achieved this feat.