Climbing Higher, On and Off the Court
"On the Winged Peak" – A Poem for Every Dreamer
In the world of sport, every champion knows that the finish line is never the end — it is simply a new starting point. The same is true in life. The greatest victories are not measured by medals or titles, but by the courage to keep climbing, even when the summit seems out of reach.
Deng Yaping — Olympic table tennis champion, and now Chinese Poetry Ambassador — understands this better than most. With 18 world championship titles and four Olympic gold medals to her name, she has spent her life embodying the spirit of perseverance. But today, she speaks not of records or trophies. She speaks of poetry.
"In competitive sport, perseverance takes us farther. On life's journey, the courage to climb takes us higher."
The Poem: On the Winged Peak
Deng Yaping has chosen to recite a timeless work by Wang Anshi (1021–1086), one of China's most celebrated poets and statesmen from the Song Dynasty. Written during his youth, this poem captures the bold ambition of a young man standing at the edge of the world, unafraid of the challenges ahead.
On the Winged Peak
On the Winged Peak a sky-scraping pagoda towers,
Cocks' crows are heard to wake sunrise at early hours.
Fear not the floating clouds may veil the sun from sight,
For you have placed yourself at the top of the height.
(Translated by Xu Yuanchong)
The Spirit Behind the Verse
At first glance, this is a poem about a view — a panoramic scene from a towering peak. But beneath the surface lies a profound message about perspective, courage, and vision.
The "floating clouds" in the third line are not merely clouds. They are the obstacles, doubts, and distractions that obscure our path. The poem's quiet confidence lies in its final line: when you stand at a height of your own making, no external force can cloud your vision.
Deng Yaping reflects on this message:
"Whether in sport or in life, as long as we aspire to reach greater heights and remain undaunted by the clouds ahead, we will ultimately stand at the summit that is ours and behold our own boundless light of dawn."
It is a truth she has lived. From her early days as a young athlete to her current role as a cultural ambassador, she has consistently turned challenges into stepping stones. The poem's philosophy — that true clarity comes from elevation — resonates with anyone who has dared to pursue a dream against the odds.
An Invitation Across Borders
Deng Yaping's recitation is part of a larger cultural initiative — one that invites people from all over the world to engage with Chinese poetry not as distant artifacts, but as living expressions of shared human experience.
"We make friends through poetry and convey emotions with our voices. All international friends are welcome to join 'ECHOES OF FRIENDSHIP' 2026 Chinese Poetry Recital by International Friends in Beijing."
This event is a celebration of dialogue and connection. It is a reminder that poetry, like sport, transcends language and nationality. A verse recited in Beijing can find an echo in Baku, in London, in Cairo — not because it is Chinese, but because it is human.
"Get to know China through poetry and fall in love with Beijing."
A Final Thought
Wang Anshi wrote On the Winged Peak when he was young, full of idealism and conviction. Centuries later, his words continue to inspire — not because they belong to any one culture, but because they speak to something universal: the relentless human desire to rise, to see clearly, and to reach farther than we thought possible.