Xu Lei, an athlete from East China's Shandong province, defeated Tavakoli Anahita of Iran to win gold in the taekwondo women's 73kg competition at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province on Aug 2.

Xu Lei (right) defeated Tavakoli Anahita of Iran to win the taekwondo women's 73kg gold at the Chengdu FISU World University Games on Aug 2. [Photo/Dazhong Daily]

"I am very excited and happy, because I have won a gold medal in my own country and proved myself," said Xu, who hails from Shandong's Zaozhuang city.

"This is the last time I will be participating in the university games. Winning this championship before graduating from college means a lot to me."

Xu said she is now aiming to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Gold medalist Xu Lei attends the award ceremony for taekwondo women's +73kg competition at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu. [Photo/Dazhong Daily]