Chongqing - Zhang Kai, a distinguished student from Southwest University, secured a gold medal in the Taekwondo Men's Final (Under 80 kg Division) at the 31st FISU World University Games, defeating a formidable athlete from Uzbekistan. This marks the second gold medal secured by athletes from universities in Chongqing.

"Go, China!" At 6:30 PM, the crowd erupted as Zhang Kai stepped into the Sichuan University Wangjiang Campus Gymnasium.

Front kicks, side kicks, and dynamic blocks—each punch demonstrated swift transitions between offense and defense. The scores between the two opponents remained tantalizingly close.

Zhang Kai embraced Li Bing, his coach, and celebrated his victory. (Photo/CQNEWS.NET)

In the final moments, Zhang Kai scored a decisive point by landing a swift sidekick to the opponent's head, clinching victory.

With the guide board of China held high, he embraced his coach and waved to the spectators, basking in his triumphant moment.

Zhang Kai cheered for his victory. (Photo/CQNEWS.NET)

"I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement and awe! Securing two gold medals in Taekwondo tournaments at both the Olympic Games and the FISU World University Games is truly a phenomenal achievement," expressed Huang Xiaoling, Deputy Head of the Chinese Delegation's Taekwondo Team and Dean of the School of Physical Education at Southwest University.

Huang Xiaoling commended, "Zhang Kai exhibited his intelligence, bravery, and composure throughout the tournament, epitomizing the fruits of his rigorous training and dedicated effort."

Born in 1998, Zhang Kai joined Southwest University in 2020. He secured a bronze medal in the Taekwondo Men's Final (Under 80 kg Division) at the 14th National Games in 2021.

Zhang Kai defeated an athlete from Uzbekistan. (Photo/CQNEWS.NET)

Beginning his Taekwondo training at the age of 12, he sees himself as an athlete skilled in identifying and capitalizing on his opponent's weaknesses. "Success in Taekwondo rests more on mental acuity than physical strength. It's about pinpointing the opponent's weak spots," he explained.

Zhang Kai sets high expectations for himself. "I prepare extensively for all aspects, including potential obstacles. Whenever I face problems or challenges, I take a moment to reflect and learn from them," he highlighted.

"The gold medal was hard-fought. My victory can be attributed to a thorough understanding of my opponent. Having competed against this athlete in previous matches, I studied videos to analyze their strengths and weaknesses. This deepened my grasp of their strategies significantly," explained Zhang Kai. He stressed that the crowd's cheering was instrumental in his victory, highlighting that the gold medal is also a testament to their unwavering support.

(Yang Yuanchun, an intern, also contributed to this report.)