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Xie Zhenye, the 200-meter Asian record holder, passes a torch at the opening ceremony of the autumn games at Hangzhou No.4 Middle School. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

The autumn games of Hangzhou No. 4 Middle School kicked off on Nov 4, with 200-meter Asian record holder Xie Zhenye attending the opening ceremony.

The school's autumn games was themed around the upcoming Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. Xie passed the torch at the opening ceremony of the games and encouraged students with his stories.

Xie Zhenye powers down the lane during the men's 200m semifinal at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Aug 3. [LU LIN/FOR CHINA DAILY]

The Shaoxing-born sprinter became the first Chinese to dip under the 20-second mark in the 200m by clocking an Asian-record time of 19.88 seconds at a Diamond League meet in London in 2019.

Xie raced to another milestone at this summer's Tokyo Olympics where he became the first Chinese male sprinter to make the 200m semifinals at the Games. He was also part of the Chinese 4x100m relay team that impressed with a fourth-place finish in the final.

"Hangzhou No.4 Middle School boasts a tradition of cultivating athletes. Seeing you reminds me of my youth and my first successes on the track field," said Xie. "I will work hard to be at my best condition at next year's Asian Games."

Xie donates a signed jersey to Hangzhou No.4 Middle School. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

Xie donated a jersey he signed to the students and posed with the school's sports teams, encouraging them to push themselves and to show China's sportsmanship.