1. Zhu Ting
The
21-year-old outside hitter of China’s female volleyball team is a
rising star, winning MVP honors at last year’s FIVB Volleyball World Cup
and reportedly signing a million-dollar deal with Turkish club
VakifBank Istanbul to join one of the world’s most respected volleyball
leagues. There are great hopes that she will help propel China to their
first Olympic volleyball gold in 12 years.
2 & 3. He Zi and Wu Minxia
Shanghai
native Wu Minxia is already the first woman to win a gold medal in the
diving category in three consecutive events. She will attempt to repeat
this for the fourth time as she reteams with 25-year-old Nanning native
He Zi to defend their synchronized winning diving titles.
4. Li Xuerui
The
25-year-old Chongqing native is one of the most successful badminton
players of her time. She’s already won an Olympic gold medal in London,
along with eight Super Series Premier titles, three Super Series titles
and two Super Series Finals titles. Currently ranked third by the
Badminton World Federation (BWF), she faces challenges from Spain’s
Carolina Marín and country mate Wang Yihan.
5. Lei Sheng
While
he may have gotten into the sport due to a fondness of Zorro, the
32-year-old goes into Brazil looking to win another gold in the men’s
individual foil fencing. A member of the two-time World Fencing
Champions winning national team, Lei recently served as an ‘athlete role
model’ at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.
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