Elite Athletes and Coaches Nominated for China’s 2026 National May Day Labor Awards
The All-China Federation of Trade Unions has officially released the proposed list of recipients for the 2026 National May Day Labor Awards, signaling a significant recognition of the grueling “labor” behind elite athletic success. Announced on April 9 via the Workers’ Daily, the list includes several high-profile figures from the sporting world, including tennis star Zhang Shuai and veteran judo coach Zhao Zhishan.
The inclusion of professional athletes and coaching staff in these awards highlights a perspective that treats the pursuit of sporting excellence not just as a quest for glory, but as a form of dedicated professional labor. Among the nominees are individual specialists and collective units, such as the Shanghai U16 Women’s Football Team, which has been proposed for the “National Worker Pioneer” title.
Recognition Across Disciplines
The proposed awardees represent a diverse cross-section of Chinese sports, from individual endurance and court sports to collective team efforts. The list reflects a commitment to both the active competitors and the architects behind their training.
Tennis standout Zhang Shuai, a member of the National Women’s Tennis Team, is among those listed for the National May Day Labor Medal. Similarly, He Jie—a member of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Sports Training Management Center and deputy coach of the marathon team—has also been nominated. He Jie is recognized as a senior coach, blending the roles of active athlete, and leadership.
For global readers, these awards are more than just certificates of achievement. they are state-level recognitions of a person’s contribution to their profession and the broader societal value of their work ethic. In the context of Chinese sports, this often translates to years of sacrifice and rigorous adherence to training regimes.
The Legacy of Zhao Zhishan and Tianjin Judo
One of the most prominent names on the list is Zhao Zhishan, a national-level coach from the Tianjin Weightlifting, Wrestling, Judo, Boxing, and Taekwondo Sports Management Center. Zhao is nominated for the National May Day Labor Medal, holding a professional technical level two certification.
Zhao’s career is a testament to the “labor” the award seeks to honor. Since the formation of the Tianjin Women’s Judo Team in 1994, Zhao has served as the head coach, general coach, and party branch secretary. He also holds the position of President of the Tianjin Judo Association. His tenure is defined by a rigorous, semi-military management style that has shaped the trajectory of judo in the region.
Under his leadership, athletes have endured a “four-session-a-day” training schedule, often continuing throughout the year with almost no breaks. This grueling approach is designed to push athletes beyond their perceived limits. For instance, former athlete Shen Jun recalled a period of “devil training” prior to the Eighth National Games, where the intensity was so high that athletes felt more like machines than humans. Despite the hardship, this methodology yielded results, with Shen Jun ultimately securing a championship.
Zhao’s impact extends beyond a single athlete. Alongside his wife, Wu Weifeng—a former Deputy Director of the Tianjin Sports Bureau—Zhao has been described as part of a “gold medal coaching” duo. Together, they helped build the Tianjin Judo Team from the ground up, contributing to a legacy that includes the development of world champion Tong Wen and a total of 58 gold medals in various domestic and international competitions.
Collective Excellence: Shanghai U16 Women’s Football
While individual medals recognize personal grit, the “National Worker Pioneer” designation is reserved for collective units that demonstrate exceptional organizational success and dedication. The Shanghai U16 Women’s Football Team, under the Shanghai Football Association, has been nominated for this prestigious title.
The nomination of a youth football squad underscores the importance of the developmental pipeline in Chinese sports. The “Worker Pioneer” title suggests that the team’s success is viewed not just as a result of talent, but as a result of systemic hard work and a disciplined approach to the sport at a critical age for athletic development.
The Intersection of Sport and Labor
By grouping tennis players, marathon coaches, and judo mentors under the umbrella of “Labor Awards,” the All-China Federation of Trade Unions is framing athletic training as a professional vocation. The physical and mental toll of elite sport—the “blood and sweat” mentioned in the histories of the Tianjin Judo Team—is being equated with the industrial and professional labor traditionally honored on May Day.
This recognition is particularly poignant for figures like Zhao Zhishan, whose thirty-year commitment to the Tianjin Judo Team has transitioned the sport in the city from obscurity to a consistent source of championships. The transition from “nothing to something” is the core narrative of the labor being honored here.
Key Award Nominees
- Zhang Shuai: National Women’s Tennis Team athlete.
- Zhao Zhishan: National-level coach, Tianjin Judo Team; Professional Technical Level 2.
- He Jie: Senior Coach and athlete, Ningxia Marathon Team.
- Shanghai U16 Women’s Football Team: Nominated for “National Worker Pioneer.”
The final confirmation of these awards typically follows the public notice period, during which the nominations are vetted. The official presentation of the medals and titles will serve as a formal acknowledgment of these individuals’ and teams’ contributions to the national sporting landscape.
The next official update regarding the finalization of the 2026 National May Day Labor Awards is expected following the conclusion of the public commentary period.
