TIANJIN, April 8 (Xinhua) -- A heartfelt retirement ceremony preceded Wednesday's Chinese Super League (CSL) match between Beijing Guoan and Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, as 35-year-old defender Yu Yang officially bid farewell to professional football.

The veteran, who played for both clubs, received cheers and blessings from fans during his farewell. He is set to become a coach at Tianjin's youth team.

China sees over 3,000 athletes retire annually, with numbers spiking during Olympic or National Games years.

Many, including Olympic table tennis champion Wang Hao and badminton world champion Xia Xuanze, have transitioned into coaching roles, leveraging their expertise to nurture newcomers. Others, like diving icon Xiong Ni, table tennis star Qiao Yunping, weightlifter Zhan Xugang, and volleyball standout Li Shan, have moved into sports leadership.

The integration of sports and education has opened new pathways, with retired athletes increasingly becoming physical education teachers or pursuing higher education. Entrepreneurial ventures also thrive: Olympic gymnastics legend Li Ning built a sportswear empire, while former Shenzhen FC captain Wang Dong turned his Chaoshan hotpot startup into a diversified business with over 2,000 staff.

In the digital age, retired athletes are embracing platforms like Douyin to engage in live-streaming sales or content sharing. A 2024 report noted over 2,500 retired athletes active on such platforms, with registrations up 15 percent year-on-year.

While some face post-retirement challenges, recent reforms in athlete development have enhanced their skills and prospects.

Wang Dong emphasized deepening sports-education integration to help student-athletes balance academics and athletics. "It can foster well-rounded development of athletes and ensure that sports contributes to holistic growth," he said.

Retired volleyball player Li Ying stressed self-reliance. "Self-reliance is the key," she said, highlighting continuous learning and perseverance over past glory.■