Chinese gymnasts suffer worst ever Olympic performance in Rio
By Agencies Published: Aug 17, 2016 01:30 PM
China's gymnastics team failed to claim a gold at the Rio Olympics, their worst ever performance in the Olympic Games.
The gymnastics competition at the 2016 Olympic Games concluded on Tuesday. The US team led by talented Simone Biles became the biggest winner with four golds, six silvers and two bronzes.
As a traditional powerhouse, China only took two bronze medals in the team events. It's the first time that China failed to win a medal in individual events at a single Olympic Games.
Four years ago in London, China claimed four titles. At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, China grabbed nine gold medals.
The young Chinese gymnasts paid for their unconsistency.
As the defending champion of the men's team event, captain Zhang Chenglong was the only member of the team who took part in the London Games.
While competing with the Japanese team, led by all-around king Kohei Uchimura, China's gymnasts failed to perform at their best level.
Uchimura, 27, not only helped the Japanese team win the team title, but also defended his all-around title.
The six-time all-around world champion became the first gymnast in 44 years to successfully win back-to-back Olympic Games all-around titles.
All-around bronze medalist Max Whitlock made history as he became Britain's first gymnast to claim Olympic gold - on floor exercise and pommel horse.
American talent Simone Biles was the most shining star in the women's competition. The 19-year-old inspired the US team to defend their team title and then made it a personal romp with golds in all-around, vault and floor exercise events. She also grabbed a bronze on the balance beam in her Olympic debut.