At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Han Qi secured the bronze medal in the men’s 90-kilogram judo competition, marking the first time a male athlete from Tianjin has won an Asian Games medal in the sport.
Han Qi Wins Bronze in Men’s 90-Kilogram Judo at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
Following the competition, Han drew widespread attention when he responded to interview questions in his native Jinnan dialect. When asked why he did not speak Mandarin, he replied that he only knew his local dialect and attempted to switch during the exchange but could not make the transition. That unscripted directness established the backdrop for his journey from a regional training program to the Asian Games podium and back again.
The achievement represents more than an underdog narrative. The outcome reflects a functioning grassroots athletic development system, a specific competitive philosophy centered on winning, and an active generational pipeline for the sport in Jinnan.
Grassroots Training System Built Through Jinnan Schools
Han’s progression follows a standard developmental template. At age 10, coach Li Jing of the Jinnan Children’s Sports School selected him at an experimental primary school. He joined the team the following year, and two years later entered the Tianjin Judo Team, subsequently winning medals at municipal and national levels before reaching the Asian Games.
WATCH THIS MOMENT. 👀SHE WAS BITTEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ASIAN GAMES JUDO FIGHT.Look closely at the video.🇨🇳 Tang Jing bites 🇯🇵 Rin Maeda’s arm during their women’s 70kg quarterfinal. The bite left visible marks, and after the officials intervened, Tang was handed a… pic.twitter.com/i9SNIdjy1o
The pathway’s significance lies in its replication potential. Li has sent more than 70 athletes to municipal sports schools and professional squads, with eight earning national athlete designations. Since its establishment, the Jinnan Children’s Sports School has funneled over 100 athletes upward. Local initiatives—including a structured “popularization-improvement-elite” training model, multi-sport training bases, and high-level coaches working within schools—form the operational mechanism behind Han’s medal.
Athletic success is frequently attributed solely to natural talent and strenuous conditioning. However, the initial screening process on primary school playgrounds and the established pipeline between amateur schools and municipal teams remain essential for elite advancement.
Competitive Mindset and Immediate Return to Training
Before his matches, Han outlined a strict approach to competition, stating that he maintained absolute self-belief in his ability to win and prepared rigorously for the contest. That perspective emphasizes a singular focus on victory necessary to perform in major tournament environments.
Regarding the medal itself, Han stated that he held no particular attachment to the hardware, noting that he had already moved past the result to begin preparations for the upcoming National Judo Championships. This transition from pre-match ambition to post-competition reset illustrates a split between competitive drive and long-term focus, with Han noting his next ambition is to reach the Olympic Games.
Generational Continuity on the Training Mats in Jinnan
Following his return from the Asian Games, Han visited the Jinnan Children’s Sports School to spar with younger trainees and break down technical movements. Among the attending athletes was his nephew, Wang Puhan, who began training under coach Li a year prior and attends sessions daily after school.
The continuity relies on direct local participation, connecting current competitors with the developmental coaches and facilities where they started. With the regional training infrastructure intact, younger athletes continue to enter the gym daily to begin their own preparation.
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