China's national gymnastics championships will kick off on July 21 in Xiantao city, also known as the "cradle of gymnastic champions" in central China's Hubei province.

Multiple world and Olympic champions Chen Fei, Zou Kai, Huang Xu, and rising star Yang Yilin, also a gold medalist at last year's Beijing Olympic Games, will compete in the six-day championships.

Some of these Olympic champions will also make their first appearance in national competitions after the Beijing Olympic Games. Up to now, 326 athletes from 22 teams have registered for the championships, according to Hubei Provincial Bureau of Sports.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2009)