Watch the video to learn about Zhejiang province's efforts to popularize weightlifting in recent years. [Video/Zhejiang News Client]

Asilbek Khonkhujaev, an Uzbek currently studying at the Alibaba Business School of Hangzhou Normal University, is thrilled that the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 is taking place later this year.

Eager to be a part of the Games, the former Uzbek national kayaker has applied to become a volunteer and was recently given the chance to visit the Xiaoshan Sports Center, the host venue for the Game's weightlifting competitions.

Weightlifting is a sport that East China's Zhejiang province is renowned for. The province has through the years cultivated many successful weightlifters like Zhai Zhigang and Shi Zhiyong.

Through his interactions with a staff member at the venue as well as a head coach of a local gym, Khonkhujaev has learned how Zhejiang province has been popularizing the sport, especially among young people.

Statistics show that 29.6 percent of the total population (excluding students) in Zhejiang regularly take part in physical exercises. The passing rate of the national physical fitness test for urban and rural residents in the province currently stands at over 94 percent.