High-skilled generation

Beyond technical skills, Zhou valued the industry exchange. "Every contestant has unique problem-solving approaches. Post-competition discussions let us share experiences and learn from each other."

Now qualified for the national team selection, he's determined to continue training for the 48th World-Skills Competition set to take place in Shanghai in September next year.

WorldSkills will attract 1,400 young people from more than 60 countries and regions to compete across dozens of skill categories, promoting vocational and technical education globally.

Xie Xin's journey to the national competition began during his undergraduate studies in social sports, when he became a certified coach and started working part-time at gyms. Now 28, he represented Jiangxi province in the national competition after winning the provincial championship.

The social sports guidance competition he participated in covered five comprehensive modules: physical fitness, movement instruction, professional knowledge quizzes, small-group classes and exercise program design.

"It's a rigorous test of both physical and mental strength," Xie said, adding that the three-day event left him physically and mentally exhausted.

The most challenging segment was the physical fitness contest held on the first morning. Contestants had to complete a grueling sequence: lifting six 40-kilogram sandbags and throwing them over a 1.7-meter-high bar, followed by a shuttle run with five markers spaced 4 meters apart, pushing a 100-kilogram resistance sled for 20 meters, and crawling 12 meters while balancing on a yoga ball.