Xiang Qizhang (far right) savors the moment of victory with his teammates. [Photo/WeChat account of Longyan Municipal Bureau of Sports]

In the early hours of Aug 11 Beijing time, during the Mixed Gender Team Showcase of Taekwondo at the Paris Olympics, Team China clinched the gold medal. Among the triumphant team members was Xiang Qizhang from Longyan city, becoming the first athlete from East China's Fujian province to stand on the highest podium in an Olympic Taekwondo event.

Taekwondo – a Korean martial art known as the art of kicking and punching – requires precision, agility and strategic maneuvers to outwit opponents. Despite a brief setback in the first round of the competition, Team China displayed resilience. With a calm and strategic approach, Xiang capitalized on his opponent's apprehension, swiftly turning the tide in their favor. 

Xiang scored nearly 10 consecutive points, significantly widening the score gap and laying the foundation for victory. Ultimately, his team won the championship with a decisive score of 34:24.