Zhao Shuai wins China's first gold medal in men's taekwondo

Zhao Shuai celebrates after winning taekwondo men's -58kg finals, Aug 18.[Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhao Shuai from Jiangsu province claimed the gold medal in the men's under-58kg Olympic taekwondo event in Rio on August 18, becoming China's first male gold medalist in Olympic taekwondo.

Describing his feelings after the match, Zhao said he wanted to express his gratitude to his coach Zhang Yanfeng who died of illness last year.

Born in 1995 in Shenyang, Liaoning province in Northeast China, Zhao started taekwondo training under the guidance of coach Zhang when he was nine years old. In November, 2006, the two moved to Jiangsu and joined the taekwondo team in Changzhou. After tough training for five years, Zhao was recruited for the Jiangsu provincial team in 2011. Thanks to Zhang's guidance in both training and daily life, he grew into a brilliant taekwondo athlete.

Being a training partner on the team for many years, Zhao was considered a dark horse by most people. But, by taking the initiative to find his opponents’ flaws and attacking aggressively, he emerged triumphantly with the gold medal.

Zhao Shuai shows his gold medal after winning the men's under-58kg Olympic taekwondo event in Rio on Aug 18.[Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhao said he was determined to do his utmost to realize his championship dreams from the moment he joined the Jiangsu provincial taekwondo team and he continues to cherish his years of experience as a training partner.

He added that Wu Jingyu, the defending champion in women's under-49kg taekwondo at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics, set a good example for him. Although Wu did not win gold this year, she remains the honor of the Chinese taekwondo team and her spirit still shines at every Olympics, said Zhao.

Zhao Shuai from Jiangsu competes in men's under-58kg Olympic taekwondo in Rio on Aug 18.[Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]