1. Full name
My name is Aining Zhan.
2. Birthplace (and other places you have lived)
I was born in Galway, and I lived in China for a year when I was 10.
3. When did you join GTC and why?
I joined GTC right after COVID restrictions were completely lifted in 2022.
4. Occupation
I’m a university student.
5. Previous sports
I swam with Galway Swimming Club when I was younger, and I played football from around age 7 or 8 until I was 18.
I was also in Galway City Harriers for athletics around the same time I joined GTC.
6. Favourite event or favourite place to train
Not to be biased, but my favourite event was the first Tribesman race I attended in 2024.
The run is almost flat, and the swim was amazing as it was all downstream, which was just what I needed! The cycle was also so nice and smooth.
We were so lucky with the weather, making it an absolutely amazing day. So many club members were there, and I loved the incredible support and all the happy laughs after the finish line.
7. Sporting claim to fame
In 2024, I came fourth in the National Youth Series, and I am super proud of it!
That summer, I went all out and attended double digits of different events, including sprint triathlons, duathlons, those wonderful club aquathlons, and even the Heskin swimming league in Galway.
I’m proud of how many races I attended that year, finishing them all with a happy smile on my face.
Nearly every single weekend involved a road trip with my dad across Ireland. I’m so proud we made it to every single race. Plus, I got to meet amazing new friends and travel all over the country.
More recently, though, I’m insanely proud of finishing my first full marathon in Łódź, Poland.
I was the first female and the youngest person to finish the race, since I was only 18 at the time!
I crossed the line with a time of 3 hours and 23 minutes, which is definitely a time I’m hoping to beat in the future.
8. Three music tracks that power your training sessions
- Post Malone (feat. Rani) by Sam Feldt
- Run by OneRepublic
- Basically any Rihanna song, but especially S&M!
9. Your all-time sporting hero and why?
Pan Zhanle, the Chinese Olympic swimmer who holds the world record for the 100m freestyle.
He’s my favourite sporting hero right now, probably because swimming is ironically my weakest of the three triathlon disciplines, so I just love living vicariously through watching swimming races!
He’s so inspirational because he’s only three years older than me and has already achieved so much.
10. Your GTC hero and why?
Oh gosh, way too many! This is hard.
Honestly, everyone in GTC is my hero.
From day one when I started training with the adults, everyone has inspired me. Everyone is so consistent, so jolly, and genuinely proud of their own achievements.
We all support each other, and I learn so much from everyone every single time I see them.
