Shen Tianhao retains AIPS Best Column award

On the evening of April 10, 2026 (local time in Switzerland), the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) announced the winners of the 2025 Sports Media Awards in Lausanne, where its headquarters is located. Shen Tianhao, Titan Media’s Italy-based correspondent, won first place in the Best Column category (Writing) for his article “A Zebra in the Oval Office: A Surreal Comedy of Power and Football”, successfully defending his title and becoming the first journalist to win multiple gold awards in this category. In May last year, Shen claimed the same prize with “A United EURO, a Divided Europe”, marking the first time an Asian media professional had finished in the top three of the category.

Shen’s work ultimately stood out in fierce competition. Gao Chao, Director General of the Department of Publicity of the General Administration of Sport of China, presented him with the award. During the ceremony, the host described the piece as “a profound reflection on the intersection of football and politics.”

Another Titan Media journalist, Wang Qinbo, was also shortlisted in the top 10 of the Best Column category with his article “A Letter to Gianni Infantino: Football Is Round”, making Titan the only media outlet with multiple entries in this category. In addition, Zhao Yu, lead writer at Lanxiong Sports, won third place in the Best Feature category with “Sentenced to 20 Years: The True Colors of Li Tie.” This marks the first time Chinese media have had two works simultaneously finish in the top three of the writing categories at the AIPS Sports Media Awards.

In his acceptance speech, Shen said:

“Being here for the second consecutive year to receive this award, and having the opportunity to say a few words to the entire AIPS family, is a tremendous honor and privilege for me. I’m also very happy to stand here tonight alongside two colleagues from South America. I have read their work carefully, and I believe their pieces embody the two most fascinating qualities of South American football: passion and chaos. They are outstanding works, and it is a great honor to share this stage with you.

“I’m sure my colleague Wang Qinbo would also appreciate your work. He made the top 10 this year, and both of our articles actually revolve around the same event: at last year’s Club World Cup in the United States, Juventus, accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, visited Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House.

“That was a very strange scene. But I believe an important part of our job is to transform such absurd moments into narratives that provoke thought and encourage reflection. I also believe this is a responsibility that we, as media professionals, must bear. Living in the age of AI, everyone is asking how media can continue to survive in a rapidly changing society. One crucial answer, I think, is that we must continue to uphold certain values—and defend and communicate them.

“Finally, I would like to thank my editors. We are living in an era dominated by algorithms, yet they are still willing to promote not only the stories that generate the most clicks, but those they truly believe have value. I am deeply grateful for that.”

Congratulations to Shen Tianhao on winning the AIPS Writing Best Opinion Column Award for the second year in a row!