On the evening of August 10th, Beijing time, the Chinese rhythmic gymnastics team made history at the Paris Olympics. The team, consisting of Yancheng native Hao Ting, Guo Qiqi, Huang Zhang Jiayang, Wang Lanjing, and Ding Xinyi, delivered an outstanding performance in the group all-around final, earning a total score of 69.800 points to secure the gold medal. This victory marks China’s first-ever Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics, a significant milestone for the sport in the country.

Born in March 2001 in Tinghu District, Yancheng, Hao Ting is a prominent member of China’s national rhythmic gymnastics team. She began studying ballet at age six and transitioned to rhythmic gymnastics two years later. Her early talent led her to join the provincial sports school in second grade, where she received systematic training. By 2013, she was competing with the provincial team, and her unique style and technical prowess earned her a spot on the national team in 2018.

In the 2019 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Hao Ting and her team achieved a seventh-place finish in the group all-around, securing a qualification for the Tokyo Olympics. During the 2021 Tokyo Games, the team narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth—the highest Olympic result for China in rhythmic gymnastics at that time. Their recent gold in Paris has now elevated the sport to new heights in China.