Chinese karate champion Gong Li is preparing to write a new chapter in her storied career at the 2025 Chengdu World Games, following a dramatic comeback from a potentially career-ending injury. The 25-year-old Olympic bronze medalist revealed her journey of resilience in an exclusive interview with CGTN Sports Scene's Zhu Mandan ahead of Thursday's opening ceremony in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Gong, who claimed bronze in Tokyo 2020's women's 61kg category before securing world and Asian titles in 2023, faced her toughest opponent yet in 2024 – an anterior cruciate ligament tear during the Asian Karate Championships. Despite the setback, the athlete fought through surgery and rehabilitation to defend her continental crown, demonstrating the same tenacity that's become her trademark.
"Karate rewards the brave," Gong told Zhu, her voice steady with conviction. "When I step onto the mat, I truly believe I'm unbeatable – whether facing one challenger or a hundred. This mindset carried me through dark moments post-injury."
While karate remains excluded from Olympic programming after Paris 2024, Gong's passion burns undimmed. The Chengdu native sees the World Games as both a homecoming and a platform to advocate for her sport's global recognition. "My goal isn't just victory," she explained. "Every match is a chance to show why karate deserves its Olympic place."
Sports medicine experts note Gong's recovery timeline defies conventional expectations, with her return to peak form within eight months of surgery setting new benchmarks in athletic rehabilitation. As Chengdu prepares to welcome 5,000 athletes from 100+ countries and regions, all eyes will be on this hometown hero's quest to turn personal redemption into sporting history.
