Within the Rules She Grows Into Her Own Shape — Wang Zilu Sweeps Five Golds in Champions Cup

October 2026 | Tongchuan, Shaanxi, China

Wang Zilu Sweeps Five Golds as Young Talent Emerges

The 2026 National Rhythmic Gymnastics Champions Cup was held from October 21 to 28 in Tongchuan, Shaanxi Province — the third consecutive year the city has hosted a national rhythmic gymnastics event. A record of nearly 300 gymnasts took part. Wang Zilu, the leading figure in China's individual rhythmic gymnastics and the pride of the Shaanxi team, competed on home soil and delivered a series of breathtaking performances, claiming five golds — including the most prestigious senior individual all-around, plus ball, hoop, clubs and ribbon — by a commanding margin.

Wang Zilu has also inspired more girls to discover and take up rhythmic gymnastics. Whenever she stepped onto the competition floor or completed a flawless, elegant routine, the arena erupted in cheers and applause. Many spectators and parents who brought their children to watch said they had bought tickets because of Wang Zilu's star appeal.

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Although Wang Zilu's national team teammate Wang Qi — who joined her on the podium at this year's World Championships in August and the Asian Games in September — and the national group did not compete this time as they prepare for the 2027 season, and Sichuan star Wang Zihan withdrew after the first round due to injury following her team's silver-medal finish, the week-long competition remained full of highlights.

The concurrent Youth Champions Cup was especially notable, with a wealth of emerging talent in the U12 and U10 age groups. Chongqing's Chen Zhixuan dominated the junior division, sweeping all six golds in the all-around, freehand, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon.

In the U12 category, Shanghai's Wang Xinyi shone brightest, capturing seven golds — all-around, freehand, rope, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon — making her the most decorated gymnast of the competition; Sichuan's Qin Jin shared gold with Wang Xinyi in the ribbon final.

In the U10 group, Beijing's Zhang Xitong won the all-around title, while in the apparatus finals Sichuan's Dan Qiuyu was in even stronger form, sweeping freehand, rope, hoop and ball. Although the margins for gold in each age group were relatively clear, the battles for silver and bronze were fierce, with Shaanxi, Sichuan, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangxi, Chongqing, Shanghai and Beijing all finishing on the podium.

Chinese-Style Routines Chart a Distinctive Path

At this year's World Championships and Asian Games, several of the Chinese team's routines with strong Chinese characteristics drew fresh attention. Amid a broader climate of Chinese cultural trends going global and growing national confidence, the world is coming to understand China better. Not only are Chinese gymnasts' Chinese-style routines recognized by international judges and audiences, but Chinese-style music is now increasingly chosen by European and American teams at international competitions.

At this multi-age-group, large-scale event, a wealth of classic routines emerged. Coaches at both the national team and provincial and city teams no longer blindly follow Western tastes in choreography, leotards design or music selection. Beyond classical symphonies, pop music and movie soundtracks, Chinese folk music and Chinese-style compositions have become a major presence — the finest embodiment of the competition's slogan: