YOUNG GYMNASTS
- Xu Liu / Xinhua news agency
Xu Liu takes us to Rongjiang County, southwest of Guizhou Province where young gymnasts practise every afternoon at a school which produced China’s gymnastics world champions, Deng Shudi and Liu Rongbing. These boys and girls are mainly from Miao and Dong ethnic groups that inhabit the remote mountains of southwest China. The school provides free meals, training facilities, coaching and other support for students talented or interested in gymnastics. Gymnastics training is scheduled for two hours after school daily and although the training is apparently hard, the young gymnasts feel utterly happy during practice. Inspired by sportsmanship, they build up strong body and mind, and grow in a state of confidence with the hope of having the chance to play for teams at a higher level or even get selected into China’s national team.