At the 31st FISU Summer World University Games held in Chengdu, we witnessed the vigor and diligence of student-athletes from all over the world. As the event is drawing to a close, China is far ahead in both the gold and overall medal tallies. Behind every hard-won medal is the endeavor and sweat of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners in Sichuan Province. Their dedication has been safeguarding Chinese athletes' journey to victory.

Healing old injuries and reducing new risks

Special TCM therapies boost young Judo player's success 

On July 31, Jia Chundi lived up to expectations by triumphing in the women's +78kg judo final at the Chengdu Universiade. It was also the first gold medal for the Chinese judo team. Behind this success is the strong backing of the medical experts from the rehabilitation department of the Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM (TCM Hospital of Sichuan Province).

On the afternoon of July 31, China's Jia Chundi defeats South Korean player to win gold medal in the women's +78kg judo final, the first gold medal for the Chinese Judo team at the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu. [Photo provided by Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine]

Jin Song, director and chief physician of the Rehabilitation Department of the hospital, serves as team physician for the Chinese judo team at the event. On July 21, the team moved into the FISU Games Village in preparation for competitions of seven weight classes for men and women. To ensure that all athletes can do their best, Jin started his work as soon as the Chinese judo team assembled on June 22. During the build-up, Jin made full use of classic TCM treatments such as pestle acupuncture, massage, and sports rehabilitation to give appropriate physical therapy, relieving the old injuries while minimizing new risks. He also guided athletes to do functional exercises to ensure that all members of the Chinese delegation could stay in top condition.

Jia Chundi (left) of the Chinese judo team poses for photos with team physician Jin Song (Right) after winning gold medal at the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu. [Photo provided by Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine]

According to Jin, sports injuries are highly complicated. As the injuries must be dealt with quickly without affecting the follow-up training and many drugs are not allowed for the athletes, TCM treatments can play a prominent role in helping athletes recover their physical fitness quickly and re-enter the competition refreshed.

"Thank you to the medicine of our motherland, thank you to the Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, and thank you to Sichuan's TCM practitioners, for allowing me to fight all out!" said gold medalist Jia Chundi.

Team as home

TCM physicians fight side by side with athletes to overcome difficulties

On August 2, at the artistic gymnastics men's team final at the Chengdu Universiade, China's Zhang Boheng, Zou Jingyuan, Su Weide, Lan Xingyu and Shi Cong beat the Japanese team to win the men's team title with 262.594 points. This was the first gold medal in the gymnastics event, and also a "heavyweight" one from a fiercely contested game between the elites of the two teams.

On August 2, the Chinese team consisting of Zhang Boheng, Zou Jingyuan, Su Weide, Lan Xingyu and Shi Cong won the gold medal for the artistic gymnastics men's team event, also the first gold medal in the gymnastics event at the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu. [Photo provided by Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine]

When the men's gymnastics team stood on the podium to receive the glory, Yu Yingli, the attending physician of TCM at Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital and the team physician who had been safeguarding them all the time, applauded and cheered excitedly amid tears of excitement.

Since December 2022, Yu has been providing full-time on-site medical services for key players of the Chinese gymnastics team. Before the Chengdu Universiade, some athletes had been troubled by injuries. Yu adopted Zheng's manipulation, acupuncture and other TCM techniques as treatment, significantly alleviating the symptoms of the gymnasts. With Yu's full support, Zhang Boheng, China's all-around world champion, recovered from the trough of physical exhaustion to "peak condition" within two weeks. He stepped onto the field in the best form and led the men's team to the gold medal.

Yu Yingli, attending physician of TCM at Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, provides treatment for Zhang Boheng of the Chinese gymnastics team. [Photo provided by Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine]

As team physician, Yu made the gymnastics team her home. She wakes up earlier and rests later than the athletes every day, constantly working for over 10 hours per day. Yu said: "We feel anxious and distressed to see our athletes experience physical pains, for they are fighters who strive for glory for the country and have been marching forward bravely. We must fight side by side with them through every moment, help them overcome bottlenecks and difficulties, and realize true self-worth."

Sichuan TCM practitioners demonstrate "hard power"

Fully support athletes in their bid for medals

July 31 saw the end of the rhythmic gymnastics event of the Chengdu Universiade. The rhythmic gymnastics team of the Chinese delegation wrapped up their journey with an impressive tally of 2 gold and 1 silver.

Rhythmic Gymnastics medical team and the Chinese delegation pose for photos at the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu. [Photo provided by Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine]

This honor is a commendation for the Affiliated Sport Hospital of Chengdu Sport University (CDSU), which has sent dedicated specialists to conduct regular pre-injury prevention as well as post-injury treatment and rehabilitation for the rhythmic gymnastics team. It is also a recognition of the work of Sichuan TCM practitioners. They provided professional TCM diagnosis and treatment, both prior to and during the competitions, to assist athletes to win glory for the country.

Liao Yuanpeng, secretary of the Party Committee of the Affiliated Sport Hospital of CDSU, said that the hospital has dispatched several professional teams, undertaking the medical services for the Chinese delegation, for the FISU Games Village, for rhythmic gymnastics games held on the CDSU venue, as well as for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Chengdu Universiade. "Sports rehabilitation is one of the strengths of our hospital. Specialized in TCM, the hospital extensively applies the theory, technology and methods of TCM, including acupuncture, cupping, massage and other diagnosis and treatment methods, to provide medical rehabilitation services for Chinese and foreign athletes."

When basketball player Han Xu arrived in Chengdu, she was still affected by plantar fasciitis in her training and competition. Liao Yuanpeng, medical officer of the Chinese delegation, immediately organized technical experts for consultation. Lu Huaimin, director and chief physician of the Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Department of the hospital, provided massage and taping for Han's tendons, and combined TCM and Western medicine to treat her injuries during high-intensity competitions, helping her retain her best form.

Liao Yuanpeng, secretary of the Party Committee of the Affiliated Sport Hospital of CDSU, and his team conduct examinations for Chinese athletes at the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu. [Photo provided by Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine]

"We integrate the pattern diagnosis philosophy of TCM into our methods, and help athletes recover from the injuries in several stages, before finally reaching the state of competition." Lu said, "Sports medicine has different requirements for athletes' injuries. We must have an accurate and detailed understanding of athletes' conditions, reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis, so as to ensure their physical condition."

Sichuan TCM practitioners go all-out for the Universiade. Everyone is ready at any time to help the athletes. The "unparalleled skills" of TCM experts in diagnosis and treatment are now being promoted and popularized to the world at the Universiade. Although the event is coming to an end, Sichuan TCM practitioners will never stop their efforts to harness the power of TCM to protect the athletes. (Journalists: Zeng Qingyao, Wang Yulin)

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