Chongqing - At the 47th WorldSkills Competition, which concluded on September 15, 2024, in Lyon, France, China emerged as the top-ranked nation, leading both the gold and overall medal counts. Among the champions was Chongqing’s Xiong Shouyu, who claimed the gold in the Plastering and Drywall Systems category. This showcased the skill and dedication of China’s young talent on the global stage.

Xiong Shouyu, a 22-year-old youth from Chongqing, wins gold for Team China in the Plastering and Drywall Systems category at the 47th WorldSkills Competition. (Photo/www.cqnews.net)

The WorldSkills Competition, held every two years, is the world’s largest, most prestigious, and most influential vocational skills event. Known as the “Olympics of Skills,” it represents the highest standards of skill development globally. It serves as a vital platform for WorldSkills members to showcase and exchange expertise in vocational skills.

Draped in the Chinese national flag and clutching his medal, Xiong, the young man from Chongqing, let out two triumphant shouts that reflected the years of hard work and challenges he had faced. His win represents the passion and resilience of Chinese youth in vocational skills.

Xiong’s journey to the podium has been marked by dedication. A self-described “rebellious” teenager in high school, Xiong found his direction after leaving academics for technical training, mastering his craft in plastering at the Chongqing Senior Technical School of Architecture. "I've achieved my dream," Xiong said, "but my goal now is to help more young people serve our country through skills."

The 47th WorldSkills Competition's Plastering and Drywall Systems event was an intense, four-day challenge, spanning six modules and 18.5 hours. Under sustained high-intensity operation, competitors were required to work with a near-zero margin for error. Each measurement tested both physical endurance and mental resilience, demanding efficiency and precision while pushing craftsmanship to its limits.

“The material boards we used during the competition weighed 35-40 kilograms, much heavier than the 20-25 kilogram boards I was accustomed to in China. We had to cut the V-groove joints as thin as paper,” Xiong recalled, vividly describing the unexpected challenges. This change meant that the "feel" he had refined over five years of relentless practice might no longer apply with the same accuracy.

Xiong Shouyu, a 22-year-old youth from Chongqing, wins gold for Team China in the Plastering and Drywall Systems category at the 47th WorldSkills Competition. (Photo/www.cqnews.net)

In the final segment, Xiong showcased a unique panda design that reflected his hometown's Sichuan-Chongqing culture. However, due to prolonged storage, the mold for the panda's ears deformed slightly, affecting the outcome. Drawing on his coach’s advice to stay adaptable, Xiong quickly improvised, sculpting a replacement that brought his panda back to life.

Xiong’s rise was not easy. In the first year of high school, he left school to work menial jobs, only to realize he needed a skill to secure a better future. This realization led him to Chongqing Senior Technical School of Architecture, where he discovered his passion for plastering during a skills demonstration. His parents were initially skeptical, but Xiong’s determination eventually won them over, leading him to become one of the top trainees at the school’s national training base for plastering.

Through grueling hours and relentless training, Xiong persevered, often practicing until the early morning hours. His coach, Wang Chuancai, encouraged him to keep pushing, even when setbacks seemed overwhelming. During training for the national skills competition, Xiong faced failure but was ultimately persuaded by Wang to continue, a decision that paved his way to join China’s national team.

Xiong Shouyu, a 22-year-old youth from Chongqing, won gold for Team China in the Plastering and Drywall Systems category at the 47th WorldSkills Competition. (Photo/www.cqnews.net)

Reflecting on his recent accomplishment, Xiong credited those who supported him. He holds particular respect for Wang, who helped him stay focused through every challenge. “My dad’s encouragement after my victory meant the most," Xiong shared, recalling his father’s words: "Your hard work has paid off. Now, keep paving your path forward."

Looking to the future, Xiong now aims to train other young talents in vocational skills, hoping to inspire a new generation to follow in his footsteps and continue making China proud on the world stage.

(The Chinese version of this report is contributed by www.cqnews.net)