- published: 01 Mar 2011
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Li Xiaoshuang (simplified Chinese: 李小双; traditional Chinese: 李小雙; pinyin: Lǐ Xiǎoshuāng; born November 1, 1973 in Xiantao, Hubei) is a Chinese gymnast and Olympic champion. Li Xiaoshuang and his twin brother Li Dashuang's gymnastics talent was discovered at the age of six. Both of them became a member of China's gymnastics team that won a silver medal in the team competition at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
When Li Xiaoshuang arrived at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, he was a talented but relatively unknown 18-year-old. He ended up leaving the Olympics with three medals. His most notable achievement was the gold medal he won on floor exercise due in large part to the rare triple-back somersault he executed in his first pass. He also garnered a silver in the team, and a bronze on the still rings.
In the two years following his Olympic triumph, Li failed to make headlines. His gymnastics became sloppy, and he consistently appeared unfocused at major international competition. Finally, in 1995, he re-emerged as the top male gymnast in the world. He blew away the competition at the 1995 World Championships in Sabae; first leading the Chinese team to a second consecutive team championship, then dominating the all-around defeating second place finisher Vitaly Scherbo by over a point en route. The entire Chinese team, male and female, served notice to the world that they were to be sure contenders for more gold medals at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.