China tops medal table with nine at World Taekwondo Championships

The World Taekwondo Championships concluded on Thursday in Wuxi, China, where 20-year-old Zhang Chuling earned a bronze medal in the women's 53-kilogram division.

Zhang faced Saudi Arabia's Dunya Abu Taleb in the semifinals and fought aggressively in the first round, attempting several head kicks but failing to score. Her opponent landed a mid-level kick to take the round 2-0. In the second round, Zhang showed solid control with her front leg and disrupted several of Abu Taleb's attacks. However, the Saudi athlete scored with a high kick to gain the lead. Zhang's final high kick was reviewed but ruled invalid, giving Abu Taleb a 3-0 win in the second round and sending Zhang home with the bronze medal.

In the men's 74-kilogram quarterfinals, China's Cai Zhaoxun met Brazil's Edival Pontes, who dominated the first round 6-1 and then used sharp back-leg kicks to edge out a 4-3 victory in the second round, advancing to the semifinals.

With the tournament concluded, China finished with one silver medal and eight bronze medals, ranking first overall in total medals.