Li Wentao from Guangdong has won China's first gold medal in Restaurant Service at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. The result was announced at the closing ceremony on the evening of September 27.

His coach Fang Xia, a teacher at Shenzhen Polytechnic University, described the journey as "very tough and exploratory, but also very inspiring." Li went through competitions at the city, provincial and national levels before being selected as an alternate for the 47th WorldSkills Competition. As he would still meet the age requirements for the 48th edition, he waited another two years, a period his coach called "very, very long."

Fang said that after preparing for so long, they didn't know whether Li would ultimately get to compete for China. At one point, she admitted, she felt there was little hope. It was when Li said he still wanted to practice that she decided to keep going. "He has very strong self-motivation," she said.

Photo | Fang Xia