In a thrilling display of passion and precision, China’s aerobic gymnastics group clinched the gold medal at the Chengdu World Games in the Chinese mainland on Friday. Italy and Romania took silver and bronze, respectively, at the Dong’an Lake Sports Park Multi-Function Gymnasium.
The quintet of five university athletes—Fan Siwei, Liang Wenjie, Teng Hao, Xu Tong and the only woman, Feng Lei—had topped a six-team field in qualifications earlier in the day, setting the stage for a high-stakes final.
Under a backdrop of cheering fans and a buzzing stadium, the team performed a fast-paced routine themed around overcoming challenges to rescue a girl from a blazing fire—a heartfelt tribute to firefighters. Judges awarded them 20.265 points, outpacing Italy’s 19.615 and Romania’s 19.136.
When the final score was announced, 23-year-old Feng Lei wiped away tears, joining her teammates in an emotional embrace before taking a victory lap with the national flag and waving to the crowd.
'We’ve trained for a long time and overcome many difficulties,' Feng said. 'When we realized we were champions, we all felt a huge sense of relief and excitement.'
Pressed on what drew them to aerobic gymnastics, the team answered in unison: 'Out of love.' Fan, celebrating his birthday, called the gold medal his 'best birthday gift.'
Italy’s group earned applause with a routine blending traditional Chinese instruments, kung fu moves and dance. 'Since the competition is in China, we wanted to pay tribute to the country and its audience,' said Italy’s David Nacci, a 25-year-old engineer. 'We all love Chinese culture, especially Tai Chi. Chengdu is a wonderful city, and the people here are so warm and welcoming. It’s an unforgettable journey.'
This victory marks a milestone for China’s young athletes on the world stage, showcasing sportsmanship and storytelling through movement—qualities that resonate far beyond the competition floor.
Reference(s):
China capture aerobic gymnastics group gold at Chengdu World Games
cgtn.com
