Less than a year after making history on home soil at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China's Xin Han is the latest athlete to be featured in the Heroes of the Games series.
Han enjoyed a dream debut at The World Games in August 2025, capturing the women's Muaythai -60kg gold medal in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Competing at the Sichuan Gymnasium, she defeated Türkiye's Kübra Kocakuş in a thrilling final to claim the title, while Thailand's Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom secured the bronze medal.
The victory crowned an unforgettable first appearance at The World Games and established Han among the standout performers of the Chengdu Games.
Looking back on her experience nearly a year later, Han recalls that the opening ceremony remains her most cherished memory.
"What I will never forget is the moment when all the athletes entered the opening ceremony together," she said.
"At previous Muaythai World Championships, I was surrounded only by athletes from my own sport. At The World Games, dozens of sports came together on one stage. I immediately felt that this competition was different."
That feeling only grew stronger throughout the event. Han noted that spectators from a variety of sports filled the stands and embraced Muaythai, demonstrating the unique power of The World Games to showcase emerging and non-Olympic sports to a global audience.
Her gold-medal performance came during one of the most memorable Muaythai competitions in The World Games history. The finals attracted some of the highest attendances of the Games and were broadcast to millions across China. The atmosphere inside the Sichuan Gymnasium was electric, with packed stands, distinguished guests and enthusiastic support for athletes from around the world.
Han's path to gold was far from easy. She advanced through a highly competitive field, defeating Hungary's Asa Nardelotti in the quarter-finals before overcoming IFMA champion Marina Bespalova in the semi-finals. In the final, she faced one of the sport's most decorated athletes, three-time IFMA World Champion Kübra Kocakuş of Türkiye. The pair produced a spectacular contest that had the crowd on its feet before Han emerged victorious.
Standing atop the podium remains one of the defining moments of her sporting career.
"When the national anthem played and the Chinese flag was raised, I felt excitement, relief and pride," Han said.
"The fatigue from years of high-intensity training and strict weight management seemed to disappear. This gold medal was not only a reward for my years of hard work, but also proof that Chinese Muaythai can succeed at the highest level."
The road to that success required overcoming significant challenges. Han identified making weight for the -60kg category as the toughest physical hurdle, while managing expectations and the strength of her opponents presented a major mental test. Through careful planning with her coaching team, nutrition specialists and medical staff, she was able to arrive in peak condition when it mattered most.
What distinguished The World Games from other international competitions, she explained, was its scale and visibility.
"At a Muaythai World Championship, the audience is mainly people connected to combat sports. The World Games is different. It is a major international multi-sport event with greater exposure and a much broader audience. It allows Muaythai to be seen by sports fans from all over the world."
Beyond competition, Han also treasured the friendships and exchanges she experienced in the Athletes Village. Conversations with athletes from sports as diverse as roller skating and karate left a lasting impression, reinforcing the sense of unity that defines The World Games movement.
As attention now turns toward The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe, Han remains focused on upcoming international competitions, including future IFMA World Championships. However, she admits that returning to the world's premier multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports is a major ambition.
"The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe is a long-term goal that I really look forward to," she said.
"If my physical condition and competitive level allow me to qualify, I hope to represent China again, achieve strong results and bring honour to my country."