Sports in review 2018: Notable deaths

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Tian Zhaozhong

Tian Zhaozhong, China's triple jump milestone athlete who held the national record for 12 years, died on April 1 in Beijing.

Born in 1937, Tian broke the triple jump's national and Asian record with 16.58 meters in a China-DPRK contest at the age of 27, ranking then second in the world.

Since 1970, Tian became a coach and brought several top-notch jumpers including Zou Zhenxian, who held the 28-year unbroken record of 17.34 meters for Asia and China.

Tian Zhaozhong's portrait /Courtesy of Tian Zhaozhong's daughter

Zhang Ouying

Former captain of the Chinese women's national soccer team Zhang Ouying passed away on December 1 after losing her battle with lung cancer at the age of 43.

The veteran soccer player won the 1998 Asian Games' champions, the 1999 World Cup's runner-ups, and the 1999 Asian Cup's gold medals.

After retirement, Zhang mainly worked in youth soccer training in San Diego of the United States. And when she got sick, the public raised around 97,000 U.S. dollars for her treatment. But unfortunately, the "Steel Rose" couldn't overcome her illness, and the children she taught accompanied their favorite "Coach O" to pay their respects at her memorial meeting.

Zhang Ouying of China makes a brace during the match China 7-0 Ghana in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup USA at the Civic Stadium Portland, USA, June 23, 1999. /VCG Photo

Denis Ten

Kazakhstan's best figure skater in history Denis Ten was killed by two thieves when they attempted to steal Ten's rear-view mirror on July 19 in Almaty, the capital city of his homeland.

The 25-year-old Korean minority was a bronze medalist at Sochi Winter Olympic Games and was the official ambassador for the Olympic Bidding Committee "Almaty 2022".

After the murder happened, the whole world was stunned as he had only just retired after the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang early this year.

Denis Ten of Kazakhstan competes in the figure skating men short program on the day seven of the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games at Makomanai indoor skating rink in Sapporo, Japan February 24, 2017. /VCG Photo

Tex Winter

Tex Winter, the inventor of "Triangle Offense" and the member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, passed away on October 10 at the age of 96.

During his 60-year coaching career, Winter contributed his time to college basketball as well as NBA. He assisted the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers to win a total of nine NBA championships.

He learned the triangle offense's idea from his coach Sam Barry when he played at the University of Southern California and taught it to Michael Jordan in 1985.

With the triangle system, Lakers led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant won three championships from 2000 to 2002.

Los Angeles Lakers consultant Tex Winter receives a 2009 NBA Championship ring at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, October 27, 2009. /VCG Photo

Dan Gurney

American legend moto racer Dan Gurney, who was the first driver to claim victories in each of the F1, IndyCar and NASCAR Cup series, passed away from pneumonia on January 14, 2018 at the age of 86.

Gurney started a tradition of spraying champagne for motorsports winners after winning the Le Mans 24 in 1967.

Dan Gurney of Ferrari 246 in the Grand Prix of Italy at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy, September 13, 1959. /VCG Photo

Jung Jae-sung

Jung Jae-sung, the South Korean badminton star and national men's double's team coach died of a heart attack on March 9 at the age of 35.

Jung and his partner Lee Yong-dae ranked the top of world men's double for a long time around the 2000s with thanks to Jung's heavy hitting from the back and his partner's sharpness at the net.

Jung Jae-sung in the 2009 China Open Super Series men's doubles quarter-finals, Shanghai, China, November 20, 2009. /VCG Photo

Paul Allen

Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft and the owner of three professional sports teams died of cancer on October 15 at the age of 65.

The technology tycoon purchased the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association in 1988, the Seattle Seahawks of the National Footall League in 1996 and part of the Seattle Sounders FC of the Major League Soccer in 2009.

During Allen's operating period, Blazers entered the finals of 1990 and 1992, and qualified for the post-season stage 19 times in NBA, while Seahawks won a Super Bowl XLVIII champion and three NFC Championships.

Paul Allen with Seattle Seahawks team's cap, September 2013 /VCG Photo

Maria Bueno

South America's most successful female tennis player Maria Bueno passed away on June 8 at the age of 78.

During 1958-1968, the graceful Brazilian reached the finals in 35 Grand Slams and won 19 titles including seven in women's singles, 11 in women's doubles, and one in mixed doubles.

Maria Bueno of Brazil in action against Billie Jean King of the USA at Wimbledon, July 1963. /VCG Photo

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

The Leicester City's Thai-Chinese boss Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was killed at the age of 60 in a helicopter crash while leaving a Premier League match on October 27 outside the King Power Stadium.

The sudden death of the King Power Duty Free's owner was a huge blow for Leicester fans, as he had just purchased the team in 2010 and magically led them to win the Premier League Champions for season 2015-16.

Leicester City special matchday program in honor of the clubs late Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha at King Power Stadium ahead of the Premier League match between Leicester City and Burnley at King Power Stadium in Leicester, UK, October 10, 2018. /VCG Photo

Davide Astori

Fiorentina captain Davide Astori passed away due to cardiac arrest on the eve of the match against Udinese on March 4 at the age of 31.

During his career, he made 14 senior appearances for Italy between 2011 and 2017.

He had previously suggested postponing the Serie A and Serie B matches because of the death of Serie B's player Piermario Morosini six years before, who died from the same reason on the pitch. And for Astori's death, all Serie A matches were postponed as well.

Fiorentina's defender Davide Astori in action during the qualifying match of UEFA Europa League against PAOK FC of Greece at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Florence, Italy, November 24, 2016. /VCG Photo

(Cover designer: Liu Shaozhen)