The 31st World University Games's first competitive day began on Saturday, with the first gold medal being awarded in wushu. As one of the optional sports featured at this year's Chengdu Universiade, wushu is making its mark for only the second time in the competition's history. CGTN's Wang Mengjie delves into the significance of this ancient Chinese martial art.

Wushu is an important part of Chinese culture, so when you hear the term what comes to mind?

ZHANG KEYONG Audience "Kungfu Panda. I think Wushu combines a gentle and combative spirit."

But for Wushu enthusiasts, the sport holds much deeper meaning.

The first gold medal of the Chengdu Universiade was awarded in the men's Nanquan Wushu tournament on Saturday, with Chinese athlete Cao Maoyuan claiming the top honor.

Behind the glory, his girlfriend reveals the hardships he's faced.

YU XIN Audience member and partner of Cao Maoyuan "Daily practice is very demanding for him. He wakes up early, undergoes intense training, and sets high standards for himself."

Despite being associated with combat, Wushu promotes a healthy lifestyle that nurtures both body and mind, helping it spread across the world.

DANIEL HU Wushu athlete from USA "I think it's great, because Wushu is a Chinese sport. When you do wushu, people normally see like all kinds of Chinese culture, like movies and whatever other art styles. So, I think Wushu itself is a demonstration of Chinese culture."

For global athletes, practicing wushu is an exploration, like having a conversation with themselves. And through the sport, they also gain a deeper understanding into China and the world.

WANG MENGJIE CGTN "Wushu is a sport of power and balance, and it requires a peaceful mind. It's also an important symbol of Chinese culture. As its global fan base grows, it's believed Wushu could become a bridge in bringing people together and helping to create a shared future between China and the world."