Li Ning
Encyclopedia
Li Ning is a well-known Chinese gymnast and entrepreneur. He was born in an ethnic Zhuang family.
Li is most famous for winning 6 medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics
, which was the first Olympics in which the People's Republic of China
participated. He won 3 gold medals (in floor exercise, pommel horse
, and rings
), 2 silver medals, and a bronze medal. Li became the most decorated Chinese athlete at their first Olympics.
All in all Li won 14 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
titles.
Li took part in his second 1988 Olympics despite carrying injuries. It was a disappointing end to an illustrious career, as he was clearly off-form and made many mistakes which robbed him of the chance of a medal.
, which sells footwear and sporting apparel in China. Li remains chairman of the company's board of directors.
Li was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
in 2000, becoming the first Chinese inductee.
At the 2008 Summer Olympics
Li Ning ignited the cauldron at the opening ceremony
after being hoisted high into the air with cables and miming running around the high portion of the stadium.
Gymnastics career
Li started training at the age of eight and he was selected into the national team in 1980. In 1982, he won six of the seven medals awarded at the Sixth World Cup Gymnastic Competition, earning him the title "Prince of gymnastics" (体操王子/體操王子).Li is most famous for winning 6 medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
, which was the first Olympics in which the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
participated. He won 3 gold medals (in floor exercise, pommel horse
Pommel horse
The pommel horse is an artistic gymnastics apparatus. Traditionally, it is used by only male gymnasts. Originally made of a metal frame with a wooden body and a leather cover, modern pommel horses have a metal body covered with foam rubber and leather, with plastic handles .- History :The pommel...
, and rings
Rings (gymnastics)
The rings, also known as still rings , is an artistic gymnastics apparatus and the event that uses it. It is traditionally used only by male gymnasts, due to its extreme upper-body strength requirements...
), 2 silver medals, and a bronze medal. Li became the most decorated Chinese athlete at their first Olympics.
All in all Li won 14 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
The World Artistic Gymnastics Championships are the World Championships for artistic gymnastics. They have been held since 1903.* * First time track and field event fully disappeared from the sport of gymnastics.- All-time medal count :...
titles.
Li took part in his second 1988 Olympics despite carrying injuries. It was a disappointing end to an illustrious career, as he was clearly off-form and made many mistakes which robbed him of the chance of a medal.
Post-gymnastics life
Li retired from sporting competition in 1988, and in 1990 he founded Li-Ning Company LimitedLi-Ning Company Limited
Li Ning Company Limited is a major Chinese athletic company which makes athletic shoes and sporting goods. Li-Ning branded products are targeted for consumers play in sports such as running, basketball, badminton, football, tennis and fitness. Li Ning counts Nike and Adidas as its main competitors...
, which sells footwear and sporting apparel in China. Li remains chairman of the company's board of directors.
Li was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
The International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, located in Oklahoma City, USA, is a hall of fame dedicated to honoring the achievements and contributions of the world's greatest competitors, coaches and authorities in artistic gymnastics....
in 2000, becoming the first Chinese inductee.
At the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
Li Ning ignited the cauldron at the opening ceremony
2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
The 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony was held at the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest. It began at 8:00 pm China Standard Time on August 8, 2008, as 8 is considered to be a lucky number. The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture...
after being hoisted high into the air with cables and miming running around the high portion of the stadium.
External links
- Biography - Li-Ning Company Limited
- List of competitive results at Gymn Forum
- Li Ning: China's legendary gymnast has combined sporting agility with commercial muscle, 60 Years of Asian Heroes, By Hannah BeechHannah BeechHannah Beech is a journalist for TIME Magazine. She specializes in Asia, and is sometimes credited as TIME's Southeast Asia bureau chief....
, TimeTime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
, 2006 - Li Ning Malaysia