Olympic dream gives Cheng Fei rebirth

Doha  (QAT), AGU Office, April 17, 2012: The Olympic champion Cheng Fei of China snatched the women’s vaulting gold in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup here on Sunday.
Cheng Fei wins the women’s vaulting gold in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Zibo on April 8, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]
It’s not only just one more World Cup gold medal for the five-time world champion, but also a milestone on her stumbled comeback journey to the Olympic Games with less than four months to go.
“After the National Games in 2009, I decided to take a break due to my knee injuries. I totally lost in the feeling of depression and emptiness these years. It’s my irresistible desire for another Olympics that pulls me out of the shadow,” recalled Cheng with moist eyes.
Cheng, who specialized in the women’s vaulting and floor, pocketed one gold and two bronzes in two Olympic Games of 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing.
“The thrill of competing in the Olympics was unique and unparalleled. Besides, I’m not the timid little girl who would bury her head into the sand anymore,” said Cheng.
“Yes, I can’t get back to my top form right now, but what matters most for me is to get back and fight for my Olympic dream.”
Cheng made her fame in the gymnastics history at the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, for being the first gymnast ever to successfully perform one of the most difficult vaults ever attempted by a woman.
Her sophisticated vault consists of a round-off onto the springboard, a half-turn onto the horse and one and half somersault with a 540-degree turn in straight body position.
Cheng’s vault was officially recognized in the FIG Code of Points as “The Cheng” which carries a D-score of 6.5 under the 2009 Code of Points.
Cheng, 24, was the oldest Chinese active female gymnast and the first Chinese women’s vaulting world champion in the history.
“It’s not an easy thing to come back at my age and status, but I will always set my eyes on the highest,” said Cheng.