Two-time Olympic champion Liu Yang wins third straight rings national title

NANNING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Two-time Olympic champion Liu Yang won his third straight rings national title at the 2025 National Gymnastics Championships in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Wednesday.

Liu, the rings champion in Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, stepped under the rings as the last gymnast to compete. He snatched 14.966 points with the highest difficulty score, after You Hao put on a flawless routine at 14.733 points.

"I didn't train that much after the Paris Olympics. But I upgraded my difficulty score and my execution of skills and landing were perfect today," said Liu.

Local favorite Lan Xingyu settled with bronze medal at 14.466 points.

Veteran Liu Jinru was crowned as women's vault national champion. Her two jumps scored an average of 14.000 points and added 0.20 points bonus for double directions.

"I retired years ago to focus on my university studies. But after graduation, I really missed the gym, so last year I went back to my coach and asked to resume training," said the 24-year-old Asian champion.

Elsewhere, Yang Fanyuwei earned her first national gold on uneven bars, Wang Haoyu claimed men's floor gold and Hong Yanming won pommel horse.