Ma Yanhong
(BOCOG)
Updated: 2007-07-29 18:19

   Personal Best:

    Uneven Bars Gold Medal winner at the 1984 23^rd Los Angeles Olympic Games

    Sports Career:

    Ma Yanhong began her athlete career at age 8 when she studied at the Beijing Shichahai Sports School for Amateurs. Ma enrolled in the former military sports team in 1975, and three years later, she joined in the national team. Ma Yanhong is famous for being able to complete several extremely difficult uneven bars techniques, such as the original UB stunt of 'hecht back salto with full turn to dismount'

    High Performances:

    1978- Asian Games - 1st uneven bars
    1979- World Championships - 1st uneven bars (China's first world title in  gymnastics)
    1981- World Championships - 2nd uneven bars, 4th all-around, 5th floor exercise
    1984- Los Angels Olympic Games - 1st uneven bars, 3rd women's team, 5th balance beam 

    At Present:

    Ma went to Britain studying English after retired in 1987. In 1989 she transferred to Los Angeles, U.S., studying MBA degree. At the same time, she coached the L.A. Gymnastic Club. Ma returned China in 1994, and become deputy manager of a sports company. Currently, she works in the security and market research field of China, specialized of Golf events promotion.  

    A key member of the Chinese national women's gymnastics team during the late '70s and early '80s, Ma Yanhong first earned a name for herself by winning the uneven bars title at the 20th World Championships at the age of 15 to become China's first world champion in gymnastics. For her stunning performances in a number of major international competitions she was described as a "fairy primrose" for China's fast development in the sport.

Comments of the article(total ) Print This Article E-mail