The Roller Derby World Cup, often referred to as the Olympics for roller derby, kicked off on Thursday in Austria, showcasing a strong representation from Portland’s very own Rose City Rollers.
Among the competitors is Lex Zhang, known as Lexsanguination when she hits the rink. However, she is not part of the U.S. team; instead, she is skating with the unique Chinese Nations Roller Derby team, a borderless squad comprising skaters of Chinese descent from various corners of the globe.
In an interview with ‘Think Out Loud,’ Lex Zhang shared her insights on the significance of the World Cup and her enthusiasm for participating in the event.
Zhang explained, “Roller derby is not an Olympic sport. So this is sort of our Olympics, and so many teams from different nations send roller derby skaters as part of a team, and we play each other.”
This event allows players to engage with teams from diverse countries. Zhang expressed her excitement, mentioning that the squad’s first match would be against the West Indies team.
Chinese Nations Roller Derby consists of players who share a cultural heritage without being limited to a specific geographical location. “We have skaters that are coming from Australia, all parts of the United States, Canada, and across the UK to join us in Austria.”
Zhang noted the unique bonding of the team, emphasizing that it was their common cultural background, rather than physical proximity, that united them.
“Roller derby is a relatively white sport, so I don’t see a lot of people that look like me on the track with me,” Zhang remarked.
Her desire to connect with fellow athletes of Chinese descent motivated her to join the team when it was formed in October of the previous year.
“For a lot of people who have Chinese heritage — you don’t live in China, Macau, Hong Kong, [and] there are a lot of people who live across the globe and identify as being Chinese.”
Zhang also touched upon how she grew up in an environment where contact sports were not a typical pursuit for her cultural background. The opportunity to skate alongside others who share her heritage adds a fulfilling dimension to her experience.
She articulated a sense of belonging, stating, “What you feel like you belong to and belong with does not really root itself in where you live or where you came from.”
The team will partake in traditional activities, including a dinner at a Chinese restaurant during their time together in Austria, tying their shared heritage to their team dynamic.
Zhang expressed her excitement about the team’s uniform, which features her Chinese name for the first time. “I didn’t realize how big of a deal that would have been to me until I got my uniform and saw my Chinese name written on it.”
The red jersey, adorned with the words “Chinese Nations” and a dragon motif, symbolizes their heritage, with red representing luck and green representing jade.
With their inaugural games set to take place in Austria, the team has not yet skated together as a complete unit. However, they have participated in pre-gathering strategy meetings and developed a playbook, aiming to find common ground despite their global backgrounds.
Zhang anticipates a mix of chaos and excitement as they figure out how to coordinate on the track. She said, “I think it’s going to be really fun to figure out how to skate with each other and to watch us all gel together in the days that we’re there.”
While the first game may be messy, Zhang is optimistic that as they practice together, the team will find their rhythm and cohesiveness on the rink.
The Roller Derby World Cup represents not just a competitive event, but a meaningful opportunity for athletes like Lex Zhang to connect and celebrate their shared heritage through sport.
As the competition unfolds, the Chinese Nations Roller Derby team aims to demonstrate the unity and passion that comes from their diverse backgrounds, proudly representing their heritage on the international stage.
image source from：opb
