One year before London Olympic Games, women fencer Sun Yujie and a group of Chinese rookie stars could hardly wait to blossom in their own field. The best season for them is yet to come.

Sun Yujie.

As a 19-year-old fencer, Sun dominated the women's epee rankings in the 2010/2011 season. She won the silver medal in the individual event at the World Fencing Championships in Catania and has achieved two podium positions during the season.

"I've been training for epee for eight years. The world No. 1 ranking has given me some boost. But I believe it's just a springboard for me to get closer to my dream," Sun said.

Besides the world top ranking, Sun also collected a silver medal in the individual event and a gold in the team event at the 2011 Junior World Championships in Jordan.

"London Olympic Games is my first Olympics, I hope I can smile at last," Sun said.

China is always lack of stars in the women's all-around gymnastics until the 16-year Yao Jinnan snatched a bronze in her first World Championships on Oct. 13 in Tokyo. Three days later, she finished runner-up on the beam.

According to Lu Shanzhen, women's head coach of the Chinese gymnastics team, Yao is a rare all-rounder.

Yao Jinnan.

"Yao is well-balanced in all the four apparatus with some trademark routines of high difficulty of degrees. What she needs is experience," Lu said.

Zhou Lulu, 23, set an aggregate world record to win the gold medal in the women's super heavyweight category at the World Weightlifting Championships in Paris on Nov 13.

Zhou lifted 146 kilograms in the snatch session and 182 in the clean and jerk for a 328 total to beat the previous mark of 327 set by Tatiana Kashirina of Russia at the European championships in April.

Li Jun, 26, shot a dramatic final of the men's double trap at the 2011 ISSF Shotgun World Championship in Serbia on Sept. 10, winning the event's sole Olympic quota place for China. It was only Li's third appearance at a World Cup event but he shone, having also won bronze earlier this year.

Yang Junjing emerged as a roaring star for the Chinese women volleyball team.

The 22-year-old Yang played a vital role in her team's victory at the World Grand Prix Hong Kong leg and Asian Women's Volleyball Championships as well as a bronze medal winning at the World Cup.

Since Yang's parents were both volleyball players, Yang was raised with volleyball as toys. She entered the national team last April and sparkled as a key scorer.

"I'm lucky that I entered the first-string team after veteran Xue Ming was injured. I have competed in many big events this year and gained more experience through the hard battles against the teams of United States, Russia, Serbia, etc..." Yang said. "My biggest dream is to stand on the podium of the Olympic Games. I'm trying my best to learn and to grow up."

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)