Paris 2024 | Gymnastics: Team China faces down every challenge

(ECNS)-- Chinese gymnast Zhang Boheng won silver and Xiao Ruoteng bronze, following behind Japanese champion Shinnosuke Oka in the men’s all-around artistic gymnastics on Wednesday.

After the event, a subdued Zhang posted a picture on his social media account showing himself with the silver medal.

Zhang, three-time world championships medallist of two gold and one silver, said before that his ambition was “to win gold in the individual all-around and the team event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” according to the official Paris 2024 website. Yet in both of the events, he won two silver medals.

Team China narrowly lost to Japan by a slim margin of 0.532 after Su Weide fell twice on Monday. Then China fell one more to Japan in the individual all-around.

This has caused a big splash in China, with the tag of “Silver medal, I wouldn't take it out” topping the trending topics on Weibo.

A fan said he hoped to see the medal but was declined.

On a picture with 358,000 thumbs-up, Zhang’s eyes were brimming with tears as the results were read.

Responding to an interview, the athlete said he was satisfied with his performance in the final rotation, adding he had nothing to regret and life was about looking forward.

Despite failing to grab gold, he has been overcoming himself for 24 years, said Zhang.

According to Xiao, "Team China's artistic gymnastics never gives up in the face of challenges.”