Honcharuk Tszi-Lon

Each year about 30 dragon boat teams from universities compete in dragon boat races to celebrate the festival. This year, the East China Normal University team, led by captain Tszi-Lon, won second place.

“I became interested in dragon boat racing first, then became interested in the history of the festival,” he said. “Dragon boat racing requires intense workout, which is what got me hooked in the first place.”

Tszi-Lon has focused on building a strong team. It comprises 34 members.

“We developed from strangers to members who work together,” he said. “Everybody puts in the effort and sacrifices to make the team strong. Everyone is hesitant to leave when training finishes.”

Now that the race is over, Tszi-Lon is looking for the right person to take over the responsibilities of team captain.

“It’s hard to choose because you need to consider so many traits,” he said.

After spending three years in Shanghai, Tszi-Lon has participated in three races. This year, for the first time, he tried his hand at making zongzi, the traditional Chinese dish of glutinous rice stuffed with various fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves. He said he prefers sweet zongzi fillings to salty ones.

“One of my friends had never tried the dish during his stay in China, so it was high time he had a taste,” he said. “Staff at the school canteen generously showed us how to make zongzi. It was a bit hard at first, until you get the hang of it.”