Rio 2016 berths up for grabs at trampoline world championships in Denmark
Xinhua, November 25, 2015 Adjust font size:
Eight Rio 2016 Olympic qualification berths will be on offer in trampoline when the sport's world championships take place from November 26 to 29 in the Danish city of Odense.
More than 300 athletes are set to compete at the four-day event which is acting at the first qualification phase for trampolining at next summer's Olympic Games, with the discipline having been a part of the program since Sydney 2000.
Three-time world champion Dong Dong claimed men's individual gold at London 2012 and will be hoping to secure a spot at next year's Games by producing a high level performance in Odense.
China are expected to be one of the stronger nations at the championships as they boast five gymnasts who have won world titles in individual trampoline competitions, including the defending men's champion Tu Xiao.
With only two athletes per NOC advancing to the medal round of the event, there is set to be fierce competition in the Chinese team in the opening stage.
Defending women's champion Liu Lingling is set to lead the Chinese challenge in the women's event but will face strong competition from He Wenna, who won gold at the the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Canada's Rosannagh MacLennan is the third and final Olympic champion who is due to compete in Odense and the London 2012 women's individual gold medallist will be hopeful of replicating her victory at the 2013 edition of the championships, having finished as the runner-up in 2014.
While the top eight in the individual trampoline events will book their place at Rio 2016, the remaining gymnasts will still be able to secure berths at the Olympic test event in the Brazilian city on April 20, where a further eight spots will be at stake.
A total of 14 world titles will be decided at the Championships, where non-Olympic events such as synchronised trampoline, double-mini trampoline and tumbling will also be contested. Endi