On the eve of her 18th birthday, Zhang Qingying delivered a golden performance at the National Gymnastics Championships in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in the Chinese mainland. She claimed her first individual all-around title with a score of 54.333, topping the leaderboard across vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.
Just two days earlier, Zhang had powered Zhejiang to victory in the team competition, showing off the consistency that earned her the nickname Big Zhang among fans and teammates.
Reflecting on her journey, Zhang said she once struggled with confidence but credits daily training for her growth. Watchful eyes at the competition also took note of the traditional silk handicraft ball she received alongside her gold medal – a symbol of her personal and athletic heritage.
Seventeen-year-old Qin Xinyi secured silver with a personal-best score of 54.099, while newcomer Zhang Yihan, known to some as Mini Zhang, earned bronze at 53.232. All three medalists hit new highs, underlining a rising generation of talent in women's gymnastics.
Qin Xinyi, who admitted to feeling calmer than in past events, said the recent training cycle helped her maintain focus under pressure. Meanwhile, Zhang Yihan introduced a fresh floor routine that, even if not yet at Olympic level, delighted the crowd and added new flair to her performance.
As Zhang Qingying turns 18, her breakthrough win highlights the blend of discipline, artistry and youth propelling her—and Chinese mainland gymnastics—onto the global stage. The coming months will reveal whether this birthday gold marks the start of a new era for the sport.
Reference(s):
Zhang celebrates birthday with first individual all-around title
cgtn.com
