Chinese fan travels 1200 km to watch 'Goddess' Smriti Mandhana play Asian Games final

Smriti Mandhana has garnered significant recognition for her important role in leading the Indian Women's cricket team to its historic gold medal victory at the Asian Games. Yet, one devoted Chinese supporter who traveled an astounding 1200 kilometres to witness her performance truly stands out.

What

The entire nation rallied behind the Women In Blue as they took on Sri Lanka in the Women's Cricket final at this year's Asian Games.

Amidst the multitude of fans was Jun Yu, a young Chinese enthusiast who embarked on a 1200-kilometre journey from Beijing to Hangzhou just to watch his "Goddess" in action.

During an eventful final against Sri Lanka, Smriti Mandhana contributed significantly with a score of 46 runs from 45 balls. The camera, at one point, focused on the young Jun Yu, who held up a placard bearing the words "Mandhana The Goddess."

Throughout the game, Jun Yu drew widespread attention, with the camera frequently panning to capture his reactions during Mandhana's innings, making him a viral topic of discussion.

How did Jun Yu discover Mandhana?

China isn't known for its cricket culture, which left many wondering how Jun Yu became acquainted with the game and Smriti Mandhana.

When questioned, the youngster explained that he had been a devoted follower of Indian cricketing legends like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar on YouTube.

It was through these legends that he first learned about Smriti Mandhana, becoming an ardent fan ever since.

Jun Yu's remarkable journey

Jun Yu, a student at the Chinese University of Geoscience, traveled 1200 kilometers to witness Mandhana in action. He spent 100 Wuan (equivalent to 1138.58 INR) to purchase a ticket for the finals.

His journey proved to be immensely rewarding, as he witnessed a commendable performance by Mandhana and had the privilege of seeing her secure the gold medal.