Louiza Ait Mouloud of Algeria competes in the Wushu women's Nandao at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)
Martial arts is more than a hobby, it's also a way of life for Algerian martial arts athlete Louiza Ait Mouloud.
CHENGDU, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- After playing Nanquan at the Wushu tournament of the Chengdu Universiade, Algerian martial arts athlete Louiza Ait Mouloud smiled and received thunderous applause.
The 27-year-old Louiza, a doctoral candidate in electrical engineering at M'Hamed Bougara University of Boumerdes, competed in the women's Nanqun and Nandao in Chengdu as more and more foreigners engaged in the martial arts in the past few years.
"Martial arts is more than a hobby to me, it is my way of life," said Louiza, adding that martial arts gives her diligence and concentration like a second life.
Having practiced martial arts for about 10 years, Louiza indicated that she used to be a girl that lacked patience. She obtained more energy and the ability to plan her exercise and study through martial arts.
"There are thousands of reasons to love martial arts. Practicing is not just about keeping fit, but also about pursuing a balance between the body and mind," said Louiza, adding that martial arts has helped her concentrate on her study in university.
Martial arts also helped Louiza make many friends in Algeria as her movements and actions always attract the crowds to watch when she practices martial arts in the gymnasium.
Louiza Ait Mouloud of Algeria competes in the Wushu Women's Nandao at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)
"Martial arts is like a magnet that attracts people to watch me," said Louiza, adding that martial arts are popular in her country and there are about 60,000 people practicing martial arts in Algeria.
Coming to China for the first time, Louiza said that local people including volunteers in Chengdu are passionate.
"Volunteers helped me a lot at the Universiade," said Louiza, adding that she loves Chengdu and has begun to try spicy food here.
Focusing on the recyclable energy of AI in university, Louiza believes that AI of China has stepped into a new era.
"I plan to come to China and begin my energy research here," she said, adding that she would keep on practicing martial arts and try to run her own club to teach more and more kids in Algeria. ■