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)
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, in Liuzhou, Guangxi) is a famous Chinese gymnast and successful businessman. He founded his own sportswear company called Li-Ning. He is from the Zhuang ethnic group and lives in Hong Kong.

Li Ning's Gymnastics Journey

Li Ning began his gymnastics training when he was eight years old. By 1980, he was chosen to join China's national team. He quickly became known for his amazing skills.

"Prince of Gymnastics"

In 1982, Li Ning showed the world his talent at the Sixth World Cup Gymnastic Competition. He won six out of seven possible medals! This incredible achievement earned him the nickname "Prince of Gymnastics."

Olympic Glory in 1984

Li Ning is most famous 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 participated in the Olympics since 1949. Li Ning won six medals, making him the most decorated Chinese athlete at those Games.

• He won three gold medals in:
  • Floor exercise
  • Pommel horse
  • Rings
• He also earned two silver medals and one bronze medal.

World Championships Success

Li Ning also won many medals at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. He earned 11 medals in total, including gold medals for the rings 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, which affected his performance. After these Games, he retired from his amazing gymnastics career.

Life After Gymnastics

Li Ning on a 1996 Azerbaijani stamp

After retiring from gymnastics in 1988, Li Ning started a new chapter in his life. In 1990, he founded his own company, Li-Ning Company Limited. This company sells sports shoes and clothing in China. Li Ning is still the chairman of the company's board of directors.

Hall of Fame and Recognition

In 2000, Li Ning was honored by being inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. He was the very first Chinese gymnast to receive this special recognition. In 2017, a statue was built in his honor by Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland.

Lighting the Olympic Cauldron

One of Li Ning's most memorable moments after his gymnastics career was at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. During the opening ceremony, he had the incredible honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron. He was lifted high into the air by cables and appeared to run around the rim of the stadium before lighting the flame.

Family 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 won his medals.

See also

In Spanish: Li Ning para niños

• List of multiple Olympic medalists at a single Games