Chongqing - While the cheers from the 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo have long since faded, the story of 21-year-old Chongqing Taekwondo champion Li Kui continues to echo along the quiet mountain paths of Wushan. Recently, iChongqing revisited the schools and homes that shaped him long before he became a world-class athlete, uncovering a story defined by silent dedication and a mother’s simple, unwavering love.

Li Kui’s rise to international recognition was built on years of domestic dominance. In June 2024, he delivered a standout performance at the 7th Chongqing Municipal Games for Persons with Disabilities, claiming first place in the men’s individual Poomsae event. He followed that success in 2025 at the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities in Huizhou, where he captured double gold in the KP60 individual and mixed doubles categories. Those victories culminated in a historic moment in Tokyo—winning two gold medals in a single day and securing China’s first-ever Deaflympic gold in the Poomsae individual category.

Li Kui won a gold medal at the 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo (Photo: The Interviewee)

At the Wushan Special Education School, Li Kui’s alma mater, a quiet sense of pride fills the air—one that transcends language. One of his first coaches, Pan Xinglong, grew visibly emotional as he reflected on their shared journey with an iChongqing reporter. His eyes misted as he recalled the boy who first stepped onto the mats years ago, describing a bond that has grown far beyond a professional relationship. “He is one of my proudest students,” Pan said. “Our bond carries the weight of a father-son relationship.”

Li Kui’s pursuit of excellence is rooted in Poomsae, a discipline that stands in contrast to the combat-oriented sparring of Kyorugi. Often described as the “soul” of Taekwondo, Poomsae is a choreographed sequence of defensive and offensive movements performed against an imaginary opponent. For Li, success is not measured by striking a rival, but by achieving absolute precision, power, and rhythm.

Zhang Yinyu, head coach of the Chongqing Para Taekwondo team, told iChongqing that while Li’s silence allowed him to train with intense focus “without distractions,” communication remained a persistent challenge. “Many technical details simply couldn’t be expressed in words,” Zhang explained. Being hearing-impaired adds a profound layer of difficulty to the discipline. Unable to hear verbal cues, Li was forced to internalize every movement and rhythm through sheer repetition, muscle memory, and relentless training.

Chongqing Taekwondo Champion Li Kui is training (Photo: Feng Xiaolou)

Behind the “double gold” athlete, however, is a mother who remembers the human cost of such achievement. Zou Chuanju recalls the sight of her son returning home after weeks—or even months—of high-intensity training, exhausted and thin. What he missed most during those long absences, she said, was the taste of home. When the young champion finally sat down at their table, she did not ask for a recounting of medals or victories. She simply told her son to eat more.

As Li Kui looks toward the future, his journey has come to represent more than athletic success. It bridges the quiet isolation of disability with the recognition of the international stage. His achievements have made him a source of inspiration for students at the Wushan Special Education School, a living reminder that silence does not mean invisibility. Each time he steps onto the mat, Li is not merely performing a sequence of movements. The focused Chongqing champion is telling a story of resilience—one that began in the mountains of Chongqing and has reached the world.