Li Ning facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Li Ning 李宁
Li lighting the torch at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Nickname(s)	Prince of gymnastics
Country represented	China
Born	(1963-03-10) March 10, 1963 (age 62) Liuzhou, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
Height	1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)
Weight	58 kg (128 lb)
Discipline	Men's artistic gymnastics
Head coach(es)	Zhang Jian
Retired	1988
Medal record Representing  China Olympic Games Gold 1984 Los Angeles Floor Gold 1984 Los Angeles Pommel Horse Gold 1984 Los Angeles Rings Silver 1984 Los Angeles Team Silver 1984 Los Angeles Vault Bronze 1984 Los Angeles All-Around World Championships Gold 1983 Budapest Team all-around Gold 1985 Montreal Rings Silver 1983 Budapest Vault Silver 1985 Montreal Team all-around Silver 1985 Montreal Pommel horse Silver 1987 Rotterdam Rings Silver 1987 Rotterdam Team all-around Bronze 1981 Moscow Team all-around Bronze 1983 Budapest Rings Bronze 1983 Budapest Floor Bronze 1985 Montreal Floor World Cup Gold 1982 Zagreb All-Around Gold 1982 Zagreb Floor Gold 1982 Zagreb Pommel Horse Gold 1982 Zagreb Rings Gold 1982 Zagreb Vault Gold 1982 Zagreb Horizontal Bar Bronze 1982 Zagreb Parallel Bars Gold 1986 Beijing All-Around Gold 1986 Beijing Floor Exercise Gold 1986 Beijing Pommel Horse Bronze 1986 Beijing Rings

Li Ning (born March 10, 1963) is a famous Chinese gymnast and a successful businessman. He was born in Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. Many people know him as the "Prince of Gymnastics" because of his amazing skills.

After his gymnastics career, Li Ning started his own sportswear company. He is also famous for lighting the Olympic torch at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Li Ning's Gymnastics Career

Li Ning began training in gymnastics when he was just eight years old. His talent was clear, and he joined the national team in 1980.

Becoming the "Prince of Gymnastics"

In 1982, Li Ning showed the world his incredible abilities. At the Sixth World Cup Gymnastic Competition, he won six out of seven possible gold medals. This amazing achievement earned him the nickname "Prince of Gymnastics."

Olympic Success in 1984

Li Ning is best known for his performance at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This was a very special event because it was the first time the People's Republic of China had taken part in the Olympics since 1949.

He won six medals at these Games:

• Three gold medals in floor exercise, pommel horse, and rings.
• Two silver medals.
• One bronze medal.

Li Ning became the most successful Chinese athlete at those Olympics. He truly made history for his country.

World Championships Medals

Besides the Olympics, Li Ning also won many medals at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. He earned 11 medals in total. These included gold medals in the rings event in 1985 and for the team all-around in 1983.

Final Olympic Appearance

Li Ning competed in his second Olympics at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He was dealing with injuries at the time. Although he didn't win any medals that year, it marked the end of his brilliant gymnastics career.

Life After Gymnastics

After retiring from gymnastics in 1988, Li Ning started a new chapter in his life. He became a very successful businessman.

Founding a Sportswear Company

In 1990, Li Ning created his own company called Li-Ning Company Limited. This company sells sports shoes and clothing in China and other parts of the world. Li Ning is still the chairman of the company's board of directors.

International Recognition

Li Ning's contributions to gymnastics were recognized globally. In 2000, he was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. He was the first Chinese gymnast to receive this honor. In 2017, a statue was even built in his honor by Lake Geneva in Montreux.

Lighting the Olympic Cauldron

One of Li Ning's most memorable moments came at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. During the opening ceremony, he had the honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron. He was lifted high into the air by cables and appeared to run around the top edge of the stadium before lighting the flame. It was a truly spectacular moment!

Personal Life

Li Ning is married to Chen Yongyan. She was also a gymnast and won an Olympic bronze medal in 1984, the same year Li Ning had his big success.

See also

In Spanish: Li Ning para niños

• List of multiple Olympic medalists at a single Games

Images for kids

• 

  Li Ning on a 1996 Azerbaijani stamp