The 48th WorldSkills Competition concluded in Shanghai on Sept. 27. Zhao Qiansen, a member of the Chinese national team for the welding category and an employee of China 19th Metallurgical Corporation, won the gold medal, successfully stepping onto the podium of this world-class competitive arena.

Zhao Qiansen, a member of the Chinese team in the welding competition and an employee of China 19th Metallurgical Corporation, won the championship. Photo by Wei Wei

The 22-year-old Zhao was born in a small mountain village in Huili City, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, and was known as a "naughty kid" by his neighbors during his childhood. What changed the trajectory of his life was the name of a fellow villager, Zhao Pubo, the welding champion of the 45th WorldSkills Competition. After graduating from junior high school, Zhao Qiansen enrolled in the welding program at Panzhihua Technician College. In October 2021, he was selected for the national training squad for the WorldSkills welding event after ranking first. When asked by reporters about his feelings after the competition, he responded calmly, "No special feelings." Asked about his post-competition plans, he said, "Nothing in particular. It's time to wrap up, so I'll just head back."

Zhao Qiansen, a welder from Sichuan born in the 2000s, won the championship in the welding competition. Photo by Wei Wei

A man of few words, he possesses exceptional craftsmanship. This composed young man, born in the 2000s, demonstrated the strength and confidence of China's skilled youth on the global stage with his welding torch.

Behind the gold medal lies day-after-day dedicated practice. Rigorous training became the norm from the day he enrolled. To improve hand stability, he held a one-liter water bottle for an hour daily and performed lateral raises with dumbbells weighing over five kilograms; to build physical endurance, he got up at 5:30 a.m. for running, squats, and push-ups. Once, molten slag slipped through the gaps in his protective gear and fell into his collar.

Amidst the pain, he considered giving up, but looking up at a photo of Zhao Pubo on the wall of the training workshop, and recalling his parents' expectations and his determination to rise above his humble origins, he gritted his teeth and picked up his welding torch again.

In 2023, he took first place in the Panzhihua Municipal Vocational School Skills Competition, marking the first award of his life and a reward for his diligence. Since then, he has advanced through competitions at various levels as if clearing stages in a video game, ultimately clinching the gold medal in welding at the 48th WorldSkills Competition and bringing glory to his country.

Zhao Qiansen, a welder from Sichuan born in the 2000s, won the championship in the welding competition. Photo by Wei Wei

Reflecting on what he has gained, Zhao Qiansen said, "It has honed me and broadened my horizons." In his view, the WorldSkills Competition differs from previous contests, as participants come from all over the world and the tasks are more challenging. Zhao Qiansen's gold marks the fourth time a Chinese contestant has won the top prize in the welding category at the WorldSkills Competition. Previously, Sichuan natives Zeng Zhengchao, Ning Xianhai, and Zhao Pubo defeated elite competitors worldwide to claim championships at the 43rd through 45th editions of the event; all three are graduates of Panzhihua Technician College.

【本篇文字部分内容由 AI 辅助写作，特此声明。Please note: the text in this article was created with the help of AI.】