As a key member of China's women's karate team, Gong Li, would have been finalizing her build-up for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics right now. But with the Games postponed to next year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 20-year-old will have to wait another year for her chance to shine, after rising to No. 3 in the world rankings.

The youngster started professional karate only two years ago. She shocked favorites following an impressive 6-0 victory in semi-finals of Female Kumite -68kg over Vicky Panetsidou of Greece. She gained more experience after winning the women's 68 kilogram title at the WKF K1 Premier League in Salzburg in March. That elevated her Olympic points to 990 and put her third in the rankings heading into the Games.

China's karate squad started their preparations for Tokyo in Taiyuan, northern Shanxi Province in early May and, despite the Olympics postponement, the team continues their work as they aim at the gold medals as the sport's birthplace hosts the Olympics next year, when karate will make its Games debut.

Guan Jianmin, President of the Chinese Taekwondo and Karate Association, said, "The Tokyo Olympics dekay means equally to all athletes. What matters most is to take advantage of this period to get well-prepared."