Most Popular Sports in China: Basketball
The sport became famous in China in the 2000s, when Yao Ming started playing for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A few Chinese have played in the NBA since then, but none have made an impact like Yao Ming. On the International stage, the Chinese men’s and women’s basketball teams are not very successful. The men’s team didn’t even qualify for the Tokyo 2020/21 Olympics. Many international players come over to China and play in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Player |
Awards |
Olympic Wins |
---|---|---|
Yao Ming |
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2016) |
Silver – 2008 Beijing Olympics |
Yi Jianlian |
CBA Most Valuable Player (2007, 2011) |
– |
List of Most Popular Sports in China
Sports have significantly shaped China’s history, identity, and national pride. They have excelled in sports like table tennis, diving, and badminton. Since hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics, the country has announced a series of national plans aspiring to become a strong sports nation by 2025. The Chinese government takes care of its professional players as a means of dominating sports.
Let us learn more about the popular sports in China.