The National Karate Championships commenced in Hangzhou on March 27, and Li Qiaoqiao, the Asian Games champion hailing from Wenzhou, made a remarkable debut.
Li dominated the women's 68kg category, claiming gold and launching her competitive year with a resounding victory. This win marked a promising start to her 2024 campaign, setting the stage for upcoming tournaments like the East Asian Championships and the Asian Championships.
Xie Yu, another talented athlete from Wenzhou, contributed to the Zhejiang team's success by securing a silver medal in the women's 50kg category.
Post-match, Li acknowledged areas for improvement, demonstrating her commitment to continuous growth in the sport.
Born in 2000 in Cangnan county, Li honed her athletic skills for nearly a decade in track and field before joining the Zhejiang Karate Team. Her well-rounded athleticism laid a solid foundation for her transition to karate. In October 2023, Li made history by clinching the gold medal in the women's 68kg category at the 19th Asian Games, becoming Wenzhou's first-ever Asian Games karate champion.