May 2026 | Chengdu, Sichuan Province
The 2026 National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships wrapped up in Chengdu, marking the culmination of China's highest-level professional rhythmic gymnastics competition. The tournament delivered spectacular performances across all categories, showcasing both established veterans and rising stars.
Senior Individual All-Around: A Passing of the Torch
The senior individual all-around final featured the most anticipated matchup of the competition, pitting veteran Wang Zilu of Shaanxi Province against newcomer Wang Qi of Tianjin. Wang Zilu, who previously achieved China's best-ever Olympic result in an individual rhythmic gymnastics event, faced stiff competition from Wang Qi, the recent World Junior Championships silver medalist who had just transitioned to the senior division. In a thrilling display of generational transition, Wang Qi ultimately claimed the all-around title, while Wang Zilu demonstrated her enduring excellence by capturing three gold medals in the subsequent apparatus finals. The two gymnasts shared the spotlight equally, leaving rhythmic gymnastics enthusiasts highly optimistic about China's prospects at next month's World Challenge Cup in Beijing and the World Championships in August.
The all-around bronze medal went to Wang Zihan of Sichuan Province, who also secured bronze medals in three apparatus finals (hoop, clubs, and ribbon). Li Maotong of Chongqing claimed the bronze medal in ball.
Junior and Pre-Junior Divisions: Nurturing Future Talent
Beyond the senior category, the championships featured junior and pre-junior divisions designed to identify and develop emerging talent. Despite their young age and relative lack of name recognition, the young gymnasts delivered equally impressive performances, executing high-difficulty elements with remarkable quality that drew gasps from the audience. Notably, during the first half of the junior all-around final, the top four competitors remained in a tight battle, with less than one point separating them. The championship title remained undecided until the final routine concluded, with Chen Zhixuan of Chongqing ultimately emerging victorious. In the pre-junior division, Wang Xinyi of Shanghai claimed the championship title.
Looking Ahead to Los Angeles
The 2026 National Championships demonstrated that China possesses abundant depth in rhythmic gymnastics talent. The sport continues to flourish across multiple provinces and municipalities nationwide, with seasoned veterans maintaining their competitive edge while promising newcomers rise through the ranks. As the Los Angeles Olympic cycle progresses, the future of Chinese rhythmic gymnastics looks exceptionally bright.