Shattering stereotypes
Westerners online do not hide their affection for Ning, especially for his amazing physique. A Google search for him shows hundreds of thousands of results, the first few pages of which are articles and posts that talk about his amazing physique.
"Whoever told him that swimming was his sport, thank you so much," wrote a Net user named Miriam Escalada on August 5.
"I need to touch your abs," the Daily Mail wrote in its August 5 headline, quoting one of Ning's fans.
Collier has never seen an Asian athlete gain so much popularity in such a short time. Compared to other Chinese athletes participating in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Ning is the most memorable, she said.
"If someone were to ask me to name a Chinese athlete, I would only be able to name Ning," she said. "His good looks may also be a reason why he is also easily remembered."
These days, the nerdy stereotypes of Asian men are quite popular among Westerners. "People think of an Asian man who wears glasses, has a job related to tech as well as being good at math and science," Collier said.
This stereotype can be seen in many popular films and TV series like Mean Girls (2004) and Dexter (2006).
According to Collier, Ning's good looks and popularity are shattering the stereotypes and helping create a new, more up-to-date and varied impression of Asian males.
"At first, when I thought of Asian males, I would more likely think of someone like Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan because they are very popular in Western culture and are well-known in films," she said.
According to Collier, these images are far removed from her generation. However, Ning is from a younger generation that appeals to Collier and her friends. He has unwittingly captured the minds and hearts of many overseas fans, and in doing so, he has changed perceptions outside China.
"Ning has definitely changed that for me! Ning is young, stylish!" said Collier. "He not only has an amazing physique but is very stylish! I find Ning just as attractive fully clothed as he is without."
Initially attracted by Ning and others like him, fans of Chinese athletes are slowly expanding their knowledge of China and Chinese culture through their idols.
"I spend a lot of time on social media and have lots of friends around the world and learn more about different cultures through [social media]," Collier explained. "Because of this, I'm very open toward other cultures and people. I think this is what makes us in the younger generation different to the older generation."
Like Collier, Fred Landis, an investigative reporter based in San Diego, California, also has confidence that star athletes like Ning can shatter stereotypes long existed in Western culture. According to him, the popularity of athletes can go beyond the limit of this deep-rooted perceptions.
"In the first place, we are not talking about just a Chinese person, but a person who is representing his country in an area which was traditionally dominated by the US. It demonstrates that person's charisma and ability can overcome existing bias," he said.
Reframing the image
The rise of star athletes like Ning coincides with the need for diversity in Western media representations, according to Mildred Lewis, a professor in the film department at Chapman University in the US.
Lewis has unique insight into Western popular culture's depiction of the Asian male.
"Asians are too often represented in severely limited and stereotypical ways," she said. "Consider the asexuality of Asian American men. Has John Cho [a supporting actor in Star Trek] ever had a plausible love interest?"
She said the popularity of athlete like Ning and Zhang can help change the mindset of Westerners toward Asian males by showing a different image, masculine and full of attraction.
According to Collier, many people from Westerners do not realize how sexy Asians can be, or avoid talking about it. "It is time to change," she said.
