At the Asian Games on Thursday, FIH President Leandro Negre honoured a promise to deliver the FIH Women's Young Player of the Year Trophy to China's Zhao Yudiao.
The brilliantly skilful attacker was unable to join Jamie Dwyer (FIH Men's Player of the Year - AUS), Luciana Aymar (FIH Women's Player of the Year - ARG) and Tobias Hauke (FIH Men's Young Player of the Year - GER) at the FIH Congress Gala Dinner due to her commitments at the Asian Games. However, Mr Negre was on hand to collect the award on her behalf, telling the guests that he would take the trophy with him on his planned visit to the Games.
After travelling halfway around the world to Guangzhou, Mr Negre presented the trophy to Yang Chao, secretary of the China Hockey Federation, who was delighted to receive it on behalf of the player.
In November Zhao made history by becoming the first ever player from China to receive an FIH Player of the Year Award, and recently capped off a memorable year by helping her team win the Gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games, where she was also named in the All Star team.
To find out more about Zhao Yudiao and all of the FIH Player of the Year winners, please click here.
