D ing Shizhong is a Chinese self-made billionaire and the chairman and CEO of Anta Sports Products, a leading sportswear company in China. He co-founded the company in 1991 with his brother, Ding Shijia, starting from a small family workshop that produced shoes. He has been the visionary leader who has transformed Anta into a domestic giant that rivals international brands like Nike and Adidas on its home turf.

Under his leadership, Anta has grown through a combination of savvy marketing, building a massive retail network, and a series of high-profile acquisitions. The company was the official sportswear partner for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. His most ambitious move was leading a consortium to acquire the Finnish sporting goods giant Amer Sports in 2019, which owns internationally renowned brands like Salomon, Wilson, and Arc'teryx. This deal has been a key part of his strategy to turn Anta from a Chinese champion into a global sportswear powerhouse.