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Cheng Fei stands out against her Chinese teammates for the raw power she possesses, a traditionally uncommon talent in Chinese gymnasts. During the 2001-2005 Code of Points, Cheng was the only gymnast in the world to have two 10.0 vaults. Currently, she is also one of only a handful of gymnasts to compete a double-double on floor.
Cheng began gymnastics just four years after she was born on May 29, 1988. She was raised in Huangshi, in the Hubei Province. She began gymnastics to be fit, but decided to pursue more serious gymnastics training after winning many titles as a youngster. She was invited to join the national team in 2001 and is coached by Lu Shan Zhen and Liu Qun Lin. Cheng made a name for herself at the 2003 when she placed fifth all-around and won vault at the International Junior Competition in Japan. She also won gold medals on vault and floor at the 2003 Asian Championships (junior division).
A two-time Chinese national floor champion, Cheng’s senior international debut was the 2004 Olympics, where finished fourth on floor. The crowd booed the result because they thought the score was too low. However, Cheng was justly rewarded when she won the bronze medal on floor at the World Cup Final.
Cheng made history twice at the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. She became the first Chinese woman to win a world title on vault and she became the first woman to successfully vault a laid-out Khorkina (round-off, half turn, 1 ½ twist). The vault now carries Cheng’s name.
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