On July 21st, Huang Xiaoling, deputy leader of the Taekwondo team of the Chinese delegation and Dean of the School of Physical Education at Southwest University, led a section of the team into the Chengdu FISU Games Village.

Before they arrived in Chengdu on July 24th, the Taekwondo team spent a grueling month at the Wuzhi Mountain Olympic Sports Training Center in Hainan. The intensive training program, designed to optimize physical performance, focused on fitness restoration, weight management, anti-doping education, and targeted tactical exercises for potential opponents. The aim was to fine-tune each athlete's competitive edge and to strategize for any unforeseen challenges during the competition. Thanks to the comprehensive pre and post-training regimen, the team has adapted well.

This year, Southwest University is well represented at the Games, with thirteen athletes selected across a range of disciplines, including track and field, swimming, Taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, and diving. Faculty members have also been chosen to serve as team leaders, coaches, referees, and directors of sports displays.

One of the highlights will be Shi Tingmao, a well-known diver and doctoral student at Southwest University, who will captain the diving team.

Also stepping into the spotlight is Wu Ruidong, a Southwest University student competing in the men's 58 kg Taekwondo competition. Having already won a bronze medal in the same category at the Xi'an National Games, Ruidong brings a solid pedigree to the event.

For Ruidong, representing the Chinese team is all about embodying the spirit of China. He describes himself as a relentless competitor, fuelled by perseverance and tenacity. "I won't burden myself with predetermined outcomes," he says, "but I will give it everything I've got."

Huang Xiaoling, deputy leader of the Taekwondo team, holds high expectations for the trio of male competitors: Wu Ruidong in the men's 58kg event, Zhang Kai in the men's 80kg, and Liu Guicheng in the men's 87kg.

No Chinese athlete has ever claimed the top spot in the Taekwondo men's competition at the World University Games. The previous best record belongs to Zhao Shuai, a Southwest University student who clinched a silver medal at the 2015 Gwangju World University Games in South Korea.

"Without setting specific goals, each athlete is committed to giving their all in pursuing a medal," said Huang Xiaoling.

(Guo Juntao, as an intern, also contributed to the report.)