PAGE 10 • AUGUST 23, 2011 CHINA DAILY RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS Retired gymnast back-fl ips to Games By TANG ZHE CHINA DAILY SHENZHEN — Th e 26th Sum- mer Universiade has given former Chinese gymnast Li Hongyang a chance to return to the gymnasium. Born in 1990, Li was the only Chinese to take part in the rhyth- mic gymnastics individual all- around in any Olympic Games. But she only fi nished 13th at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, although she was regarded as the country’s most promising gymnast at the event. But Li, who won bronze in the individual all-around at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, decided to retire from the sport in 2009 due to injuries. Aft er leaving the mat for nearly two years, Li returned to the gym as a technical offi cial for the Universi- ade at Bao’an Gymnasium. “No matter whether I am an ath- CHEN JIANLI / XINHUA lete or an offi cial at the Universiade, China won the gold medal in the three ribbons and two hoops fi nal yesterday at the Universiade. it’s enough for me, as long as I can serve the Universiade,” the 21-year- old said. “Th e Chinese team was very eye- catching,” Li said. “Th ey have improved a lot in artis- tic respects, and their performance China’s golden rhythm was very expressive. Of course, the Russians still lead … and it’s hard for others to surpass them.” HOST SHOCKS FAVORED RUSSIANS BY CLAIMING TWO MORE GOLD MEDALS Li said she is “very familiar” with Chinese gymnasts, such as Deng Senyue, whose nickname is “Genius”. By TANG ZHE bons and two hoops fi nal. “We were more relaxed today,” the gold medalist in the individual “She was born for rhythmic CHINA DAILY “It’s inconceivable for me to said Chinese captain Ma Qianhui. all-around at the 2008 Olympics, gymnastics,” Li said. take third place in the hoop “We hadn’t expected this result wasn’t quite so satisfi ed. “I met Russian Evgeniya Kanaeva SHENZHEN — China’s rhyth- competition,” said Deng, who before the games — we just Th e 21-year-old was expected during the Beijing Olympic Games. mic gymnasts surprised everyone reached the fi nal of all the indi- wanted to do well in every detail to claim all fi ve individual titles at She has become more mature aft er yesterday — even themselves. vidual events. today and gain more experience the Universiade, but lost to com- many international tournaments The team finished with two “There are a lot of top-class in international competitions. patriot Daria Dmitrieva in indi- these years, and, personally, I like gold medals and one bronze amid gymnasts here who are my sisters “Th ough our team will be dis- vidual ribbon to fi nish with four her very much.” fierce compe- and idols, and I’m really happy banded aft er the Universiade, we gold and one silver. Li’s life is no less busy aft er retire- tition from an to win the bronze medal,” said really cherish the days we were “I’m not satisfi ed with my per- ment. She started studying Spanish excellent Rus- the 19-year-old, who injured together, and I would like to thank formance,” Kanaeva said. at the Beijing Language and Culture sian team at her stomach during training last every member of this team.” “I made a mistake with the rib- University in 2010. She said dealing Bao’an Gym- week. Th e Russians, meanwhile, were bon, so I didn’t win a gold medal.” with the courses was not easier than nasium. “I was very nervous before the forced to take solace in a solid if Kanaeva won six gold med- daily training as an athlete. RHYTHMIC Deng games, but the passionate audi- not spectacular outing. als at the 2009 World Cham- “I felt physically tired in train- GYMNASTICS Senyue of Chi- ence gave me lots of courage. Th e “We are very satisfi ed with our pionships, the only women’s ing. But now I feel mentally tired na snatched a injury is still painful today, but I performance and we performed rhythmic gymnast in history because there is a lot for me to learn bronze medal in the individual could hold on.” well,” said team member Alexan- to do so. and remember,” Li said. apparatus hoop, while the Chi- Th e Chinese squad was assem- dra Makarova. “It’s sad that I didn’t win all “Th e courses were really hard for nese team, which won gold in bled four months before the Uni- “I think there is nothing for the the individual gold medals, and me at fi rst. I couldn’t understand the group all-around final on versiade, but still finished with Russian team to improve. Our I hope I will have a good perfor- them. But there is one thing that’s Sunday, unexpectedly claimed three golds, leaving powerhouse future goal is to rank at the top in mance at the upcoming World the same in sports and in study another two group titles in the Russia with three silver medals in every competition.” Championships in France,” she — setting a target for myself and fi ve balls fi nal and the three rib- the team events. Teammate Evgeniya Kanaeva, said. working hard to reach it.”.