In his high school years, it was beyond his wildest dream to have thought he could be in one of China's most prestigious universities. But for Hu Kai, that dream came true in 2001, thanks to his athletic prowess.

The turning point came when the genteel-looking bespectacled high school student gave such an outstanding performance at a sports camp held by Tsinghua University that he attracted the attention of Li Qing, the coach of the University's sports team.

After Hu passed the national college entrance examinations, he was offered a place in the University under a specialized athlete program, and that marked the start of his sports life on campus.