Li Xiaoshuang, one ofChina's best gymnasts, was born in the city ofXiantaoinCentral China'sHubeiProvinceonNovember 1, 1973.
Li's talent in gymnastics was discovered by a gymnastics coach when he was playing hide-and-seek outside a Xintao movie theater with his brother Dashuang at the age of 6. Then the two entered a local sports school to learn their craft, before moving on to a provincial academy, and ultimately to the national team at the age of 15.
He is noted for his strong legs. His coach designed a highly sophisticated movement for him - back tuck somersault. During exercise, he once fell off the bars and injured his head. But he resumed training as soon as he recovered. Despite setbacks at the 1991 World Championships and the April 1992 World Single Event Championships, he continued hard training in preparation for the Barcelona Olympics. He even thought of his movements when in bed. When he appeared on the floor of the Olympic gymnastics competition, he looked fully confident of success and won the floor exercise gold, men's team silver and the rings bronze.
In 1993, Li collected two gold medals, one for team event and one for floor exercise, at the Asian Games before he claimed the all-around title in the International Gymnastics Championships held in Japan.
In 1994, the 1.6m-56kg gymnast grasped three gold medals in the 12thAsian Games before he helped the Chinese team to win the World Gymnastics Team Championships.
The following year, the explosive Li collected 3 titles in the National Gymnastics Championships, 4 titles in the China Cup International Gymnastics Championships, 2 gold medals in the 31st World Gymnastics Championships.
In the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Li worked out one of the most remarkable metamorphoses in Olympic history. From the goat that cost his heavily favored squad the gold in team gymnastics, he turned within 48 hours into the soaring hero who broughtChinaits first individual all-around Olympic title in the intricate, demanding sport.
In 1997, injuries forced the internationally recognized best Chinese gymnast after Li Ning to retire.
After that, Li began to devote his energy to business. At first, he established a company with his brother Dashuang, and then he set up the Li Xiaoshuang Sports Goods Co., Ltd. Other than that, he also got involved in the film and music industry, acting in several films and recording his own music disc.
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