Chinese team bids for gold in trampoline at Tokyo 2020
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E-mail Xinhua, July 30, 2021
Chinese trampoline star Dong Dong is on his fourth trip to the Olympics, and again he's aiming for gold.
Dong and his teammate Gao Lei, a four-time individual world champion, will compete in the men's individual event at the Tokyo Games on Friday, while China's women's team sent out the experienced hands of Liu Lingling and Zhu Xueying.
Altogether, 16 male and 16 female athletes will participate in the trampoline events at the Tokyo Olympics, with the women's individual event to be held on July 30 and the men's individual event on July 31.
Of the 30 medals offered in the trampoline event since it was officially introduced in 2000, the Chinese team has taken 11.
Dong, 32, said in an interview with the International Gymnastics Federation website that he was looking forward to ending his career by winning gold at the Tokyo 2020. On the Olympic arena, Dong has won bronze at the Beijing 2008, gold at the London 2012 and silver at the Rio 2016.
In Tokyo, Dong and Gao will face their old rival Belarusian Uladzislau Hancharou, who, upset the Chinese with stable performances in Rio. Coming to Tokyo with the aura of defending champion, Hancharou is aiming for another Olympic gold.
The women's individual events remain unpredictable. Canada's Rosannagh McLennan, who won back-to-back Olympic titles in London and Rio, is hoping for a third straight title in Tokyo. But the road to Tokyo has not been easy for the 32-year-old veteran, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years.
In addition to Liu and Zhu, British Bryony Page, a Rio Olympic silver medalist, and Japan's Hikaru Mori are also strong contenders.
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