ZHU Xueying wins gold in the women's trampoline gymnastics
30 Jul 2021
People's Republic of China's ZHU Xueying flying high after landing title in women's trampoline gymnastics as defending champion Rosannagh MacLennan settles for fourth
ZHU Xueying soared to new heights to win gold in the women’s trampoline gymnastics for the People’s Republic of China.
In a highly competitive final, the 23-year-old executed a series of superb twists, bounces and somersaults to finish top of the leaderboard with 56.635 points.
The brilliant routine denied competition favourite, Canada’s Rosannagh MacLennan, her third Olympic gold in the event. The 32-year-old finished just outside the medals in fourth on 55.460.
The Canadian gymnast had been in the bronze medal position and had an agonising wait until Zhu, a former Youth Olympics champion, who was the last competitor, performed her routine.
Her teammate, LIU Lingling, 26, won silver with a score of 56.350 at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre on 30 July. Both Chinese athletes had qualified first and second out of a field of 16 going into the final. It is the first time one country has won gold and silver in the women's trampoline gymnastics at an Olympics.
The bronze went to a delighted Great Britain’s Bryony Page, 30, who won silver in Rio 2016 with 55.735.
The big upset of the event was world number three, Japan’s MORI Hikaru, 22, did not appear in the final after she failed to complete her second routine in the qualifying round. Her teammate, UYAMA Megu, came fifth on 54.655.
