Chinese WAG of the past: Where are they now?

[Iminhanoi]

Li Shanshan is balance beam specialist of the gold medal-winning Chinese women’s gymnastics team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the team final, she scored 16.05 from her balance beam routine. This high score is very important and needed to keep China team still ahead on points.

After announced her retirement in December 2009. Li Shanshan then went to study at University of Macau. After graduating from University of Macau, she works for Bank of China Macau Branch.

She has traveled to Hawaii, Dubai (where she stayed at luxury hotels). But these trips aren’t evidences that she is rich. Maybe her bank just take employees to Hawaii, Dubai for tours.

In a photo in 2019, Li Shanshan posing with a Porsche roadster; this car may not belong her, probably it belong to one of her friends. There aren’t any evidence show that she is rich.

In early 2010s Li ShanShan published her memoir, describes how she began training at the age of four, and how she became a professional athlete in the national team.

 

[Iminhanoi]

Deng Linlin is a legend. She now the only Chinese female gymnasts to have won gold medal in two different Olympics.

After retiring from gymnastics in 2013, Deng Linlin went to college at Beijing Sports University and has obtained her Master’s degree at California Baptist University. And then became a Physical Education teacher at Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.

She also had worked at judge for Gymnastics events at Universiade 2021 (FISU World University Games)

As a legendary athlete, Deng Linlin seems having a rich life. In 2023 she was invited to Madrid to teach the Spain Women Gymnastics team here.

 

[Iminhanoi]

Cheng Fei is leader of the gold medal-winning team at 2008 Olympic. She’s one of greatest Chinese female gymnasts of all time.

After retiring, she chose to become a gymnastics teacher to pass on her experience and knowledge to the next generation. She teaches gymnastics at Wuhan Sports University. Cheng Fei’s already an associate professor.

She also become vice chairwoman of gymnastics association of Hubei

Cheng Fei is rich, she owns states in Wuhan.

 

[Iminhanoi]

He Kexin is legendary Chinese gymnast. She now the only female Chinese gymnast in history to have won two gold medal in same Olympic.

After retiring from gymnastics. She went to college at Beijing Normal University; and then become a physical teacher here after graduation.

As a legend; she seems having rich life. She maybe earning much money from brand deals (include Puma deal)

Since retirement from gymnastics, she has grown 12cm taller, her height now approximately 1m6

 

[Doug1233]

I am absolutely loving this thread. More please!

 

[Hatsumomo]

It's funny because I was just thinking a few days ago about where a lot of Chinese gymnasts are now. Because I'm not on Weibo much, I don't see what they're doing now, so I'm pleased to see this thread

 

[MaryClare]

It is great to see these gymnasts being so successful in their post gymnastics careers. Often the impression we are given about the Chinese program is that athletes have to sacrifice their academic studies for gymnastics.

If you have any updates for other athletes, especially 2004 team, that would be great

 

[Passion]

Li Ya has been coaching the National team in Taiwan since 2018.

美图|李娅教练和她的学生们(文末有彩蛋）

雅加达好运！

www.sohu.com

 

[Iminhanoi]

After retiring from gymnastics, Yang Yilin went to college at Beijing Sport University and then became a teacher. She currently coaches cheerleading and gymnastics at Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou.

Yang Yilin seems having rich life. She owns an apartment.

 

[Iminhanoi]

Jiang Yuyuan went to college at Zhejiang University since 2010. She also has obtained her Master’s degree at Beijing Sport University in 2018. Her current job is unknown.

 

[Sasha]

I always had a soft spot for Jiang Yuyuan. Thanks for sharing these!

 

[rlayt]

She’s a cutie.

 

[Iminhanoi]

According to some source, Jiang Yuyuan now works for Zhejiang University. I need to find some interview videos to confirm

 

[Bob]

this is all great info! Thank you.

 

[Iminhanoi]

After retiring from gymnastics, Liu Xuan (won Gold medal in Balance Beam at Olympic Sydney 2000) chose to become an actress/singer.

She has starred in many Hong Kong, Chinese television series (Grace Under Fire, Legend of Fuyao…) as well as some Chinese movies (Far From Home).

She also has released four music albums.


Liu Xuan’s also a business woman. She has established her own company, Rumi. As a company that produces slimming, nutritious food and advocates a healthy lifestyle, Rumi prioritizes on R&D to ensure her products’ quality and the business’ ecosystem are environmentally-friendly and made to last under Liu Xuan’s leadership.

 

[Hatsumomo]

Wait...she was in Legend of Fuyao???

 

[Iminhanoi]

Wait...she was in Legend of Fuyao???

Yes, she was. In Legend of Fuyao, Liu Xuan played Fei Yan, High immortal of Ancient Firmament, Lord of Huansheng Shrine. Granddaughter of Di Feitian.
Her main goal is to revive Di Feitian, by using Fuyao and her five-colored stone to bring upon chaos to the Five Continents.

 

[Bob]

wow she is a force! Brilliant achievements must be a very bright lady.

 

[esta]

Yes, she was. In Legend of Fuyao, Liu Xuan played Fei Yan, High immortal of Ancient Firmament, Lord of Huansheng Shrine. Granddaughter of Di Feitian.
Her main goal is to revive Di Feitian, by using Fuyao and her five-colored stone to bring upon chaos to the Five Continents.

Thank you for this info on Liu Xuan! My fave CHN WAG generation(95-97)! Would you happen to know how Ji Liya, Bi Wenjing, Kui Yuanyuan, Mao Yanling, Qiao Ya, Mo Huilan, and Meng Fei are doing these days?

 

[Iminhanoi]

Sui Lu recognized as one of the most masterful gymnasts on the balance beam in early 2010s. But at Balance Beam final in Olympic London 2012, Sui Lu lost the gold to Deng Linlin.

After retiring from gymnastics, Sui Lu become a teacher. She teaches at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

He Kexin, Li Shanshan, Cheng Fei and Sui Lu, sometime in 2017-2018