Zheng Fengrong, first Chinese female athlete to break world record, dies aged 89

The high jump pioneer won numerous awards for her achievements and served as vice-president of the Chinese Athletics Association

Zheng Fengrong, a high jump legend and the first Chinese female athlete to break a world record, died on Tuesday aged 89.

While there has been no official confirmation, state broadcaster CCTV Sports shared a tribute video across its digital platforms.

Born in Jinan, Shandong province in 1937, she joined the national athletics training team in 1953.

She later served as vice-president of the Chinese Athletics Association, a deputy to the Third National People’s Congress, and a member of the fifth, sixth and ninth National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

In 1954, she won the women’s high jump title at the National High School and College Games.

Three years later, Premier Zhou Enlai made a special October trip to watch the Sino-Soviet Athletics Friendship Tournament at the Beijing Institute of Physical Education and met Zheng.