Deng Linlin Balance Beam Team final

[@FLeigh12]

SHE IS A TRUE CHAMPION..!!! All that hard work paid off - and now millions of people will enjoy her performing for the next 100 years. CONGRATULATIONS Deng LinLin....!

[@busho]

She's amazing! her layout was the best I've ever seen =)

[@Simba85]

Deng turned out to be the real star for the Chinese in the team competition. I was surprised she did 3 poeces of apparatus after being the 6th member. She was super!

[@solenlorenzy]

The sequence acrobatic was PERFECT , one of the best if not the best sequence acrobatic in these Olympics! Wonderful! xD

[@Yuri92001]

O.o I .....am...wow...that layout is fantastic! I keep playing it OVER and OVER again....perfection! I have NEVER seen a layout done like that....like an ACTUAL layout on floor.

[@wingyan123hk]

Regarding the debate abt their age: Fan Ye, a former Chinese gymnast, explains that the girls had their food severely rationed as they were growing up (ex. No rice or meat), until they joined the national team. With this type of diet, along with the extremely rigorous training and pressure, it is not that surprising they look very young & face lots of doubt. Fan herself said that she didn't menstruate until she was 20, and that "it wasn't surprising to see 18 year olds with no female features."

[@fll7181]

that backflip at 0:23 was so freaking cool and beautiful! the rest of of it was pretty gymnastic soldier :P

[@garyj79]

@busho - It is, but in fairness check out (if you havent seen) Natalia Lashenova's layout from the late 80's.....performed after just a handspring! she had springs in her feet for sure !

[@1797rachel]

I love her layout! :) so high, so amazing!

[@wingyan123hk]

People who think DLL was underaged - She is just genuinely short. (compared to the rest of Team China in 2008 and 2012, she is still tiny. He Kexin now towers over her). Still a fantastic gymnast.

[@nathalieng8079]

That suggests that He Kexin might’ve been underaged. I’m Asian and grew up in Hong Kong and I’ve never seen a girl have such a huge growth spurt after 16, which was allegedly her age in 2008.

[@sgeetha7350]

@@nathalieng8079 have you seen Kyla Ross and Komova after 2012? Even Cheng Fei grew so much after 2004 Olympics.. don't be ridiculous.

[@66QQ66]

she had a couple of wobbles in the prelims. A6.900 B 8.65 totall 15.55. She placed 9th in prelims. But every nation can only send two athletes for one apparatus. Her A score is 6.9, higher than Cheng Fei's

[@czucksk84life]

well, considering the movement from the 70s to now in terms of difficulty, deng linlin works it with such ease. Nadia worked her routine with such ease too, but the routine was considerably easier

[@Smielyb2000]

Best Layout ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@moncsa80]

Where is the coreography? It is great when it comes to do the acrobatic element but where are the nice movement? Or it is only me who likes to have some nice coreography on beam as well... maybe bit oldfashioned but still....

[@iluvdrakeandjosh]

:D can't wait to see her in 2012. She'll be amazing i bet.

[@TheHorseyGymnast]

@YeEunFan247. I agree, although it is really very high for any girl. You get higher off the beam when you are smaller. Does anyone know why COP changed again? She got a 14.725 or something at Worlds this year because her SV went down.

[@m3l0owxcore]

It's Ksenia Afanasyeva at floor exercise in the background in the end :)

[@curmeow]

@baseballrox03 haha she's actually a former gymnast from CHN....she moved to HK to teach gymnastics.

[@capscoach]

@bernardmvella And Nastia Liukin was injury riddled throughout her career...shawn johnson was at her peak at 16...just because young girls are CAPABLE of pushing their bodies doesn't mean they SHOULD.

[@fallingslowly8753]

Everyone says they cheated but honestly I think they just trained the kids that knew they were going to be in Beijing the most

[@luceafarul579]

Who might be under age

[@wkim22]

@@luceafarul579 they only spread fake news specifically about He Kexin's age because guess what? She won gold on bars which she rightfully deserved.

[@luceafarul579]

@@wkim22 well it was suspicious. First of all, if she was under age, she might have had a huge advantage because for girls their peak at gymnastics and gymnastics-like sports are typically 13-15. This is one of the reasons why their performances are often much better at juniors event than seniors. In figure skating for example, there are junior events where the girls can do quads or triple axels very well, but when they got older they can no longer do those nearly as well. What was suspicious was also after just a couple of years, none of these Chinese athletes could even rank anywhere near top 3, and the Chinese team also could not even get to top three after the 2008 Olympics. This is contrary to the United States for example, who consistently come out with top ranking athletes. So the skills of the Chinese team arguably were just not on par and they either had just a huge home stage luck, or they cheated with their age, or both.

[@jgsh8062]

@@luceafarul579 "What was suspicious was also after just a couple of years, none of these Chinese athletes could even rank anywhere near top 3" that happens with nearly all gymnasts you idiot. The average female elite gymnast retires at 18. Speaking of the United States, Reagan Smith looks like she's 12 but you don't say that's "suspicious" do you?

[@boosadan28]

@@luceafarul579 asians are typically hit by pubertyat later age than americans and europeans.

[@AmIWonderWoman]

I love me some Deng Linlin!

[@ffalcons102]

Let us all just keep in mind that many people (myself included) who still question the age of some of the girls at the time of the 2008 Olympics stem this speculation from the fact that this WOULD NOT be the first time the Chinese have forged the ages on their girls' passports. That is exactly why in 2009 the 2000 USA Womens team was given the bronze medal for the team competition where it was proven that the original winners of the bronze, the Chinese, had indeed forged the ages of their girls.

[@LCAmarkymark]

I like this routine....she is so much better now..and it shows

[@ch0c0nic0le]

Linlin is so cute ! She must in 2012 ;]

[@vickyc99]

She is just adorable.

[@georgewu5]

My 13 years old grand daughter Katie is the Gymnastic Champion here in Westchester County; her 2 years older sister is the Swimming Champion also, now working as a life- guard in the summer. George Wu, A.I.A. 2013-9-14

[@pinkmochaxx]

WOW! What was her A score?

[@eMthegymnast]

WOW! she has the BEST layouts on beam I'VE ever seen!!! certainly allot better than shawn johnson's!!!!!!!!!!!!! i think if they didnt have that 2 per country rule she would have been in beam finals... heck, al the chinease girls would... cept for kexin.

[@emilee571]

He Kexin and Deng LinLin both look so young! ecspecially He Kexin!

[@bernardmvella]

@capscoach Uhh most junior gymnasts are just as good and younger bodies are less prone to injury. Nastia Liukin in 2003/2004? Shawn Johnson 2006? Vanessa Atler at 14? Shannon Miler at 14? They were all great at 14 and managed to have long careers excepting Shawn. But when any of them were injured, it occured to all of them as older athletes. They'd have more time to compete injury free if there was no age limit, it's super unfair in gymnastics.

[@mattl33thaxorz]

yea props to nadia for her scores, but obviously difficulty has heightened considerably. and i'm pretty sure czucksk understood what they were saying ;) mainly because they're correct

[@kittycatsrule86]

she has the highest back tucks and layouts

[@capscoach]

@gordon2191 no...what I am saying is that I think many gymnastic training facilities don't prioritize the childrens physical and emotional well being. For every girl that makes it to the olympics hundreds are left behind due to injury or not quite being good enough...and they are taught that they are inferior and should be ashamed. These girls are pushed past their limits (in many cases) I find that abusive. the rate of orthopedic injuries in children has sky rocketed as well a depression

[@66QQ66]

there is a picture on gymworld forum, showing her tooth was crooked inside. Check it out.

[@jamesbug2002]

there was a series that she failed to do and that was one of the reasons why she didn't make it to EF:( I'm sad for her..!

[@bernardmvella]

@garyj79 Jiang Yuyuan does it just after a handspring, and I think Catalina Ponor too, although Ponors never looked as 'easy' to me, unlike the rest of her beam set.

[@elmohead]

Who cares what age she is. Is she not the best gymnast in the world?

[@luceafarul579]

Well so in gymnastics for a lot of girls 14-15 was your peak. So if they were they would have a big unfair advantage

[@cj222100]

I always wondered how old some of these girls really were. I don't think they're quite as young as some people thought-I remember Dominique Mocianu, and she didn't look 14 but she was. I wonder why they changed the rules and made it so they had to be at least 16? But if this girl wasn't 16, I can't imagine she was that far off from it. They showed birth certificates, but the only ones I guess who will ever know for sure is her and her coaches & family

[@XxjceeT6xX]

That was a very fast punch front !

[@Sol071]

why come she didnt get into the beam finals...she is one of the best out there

[@jacoblack02]

why she didn't made ir to the finals? her routine is better than cheg fei's her routine is awesome

[@eaglehelang]

I'm Asian, ethnic Chinese and reside in Asia. Deng looks 17 or 18 in 2012 , as in her face, not her body size.

[@ericyu2270]

Short two gymnasts during the team finals. Alicia Sacromone would not have been on beam if Chellsie Memmel wasn't injured. Kinda unfair if you think about it. Also the American gymnasts didn't say anything about the chinese gymnasts. It was the media who cooked up the controversy

[@capscoach]

@armywifeftbragg b/c if you push a child too hard while still growing the long term physical consequences are horrible! By forcing them to take it slower you are preserving their bodies AND encouraging them to have at least SOME semblance of a childhood.

[@jabbers23]

i love how i can understand what the commentator is saying and she's all "STAND STILL!...goooddd"

[@supersonicmario23]

@MRdavenport2010 and you would know how?

[@B1zn3tch]

There were others who have lied about their age in gymnastics though in the Chinese, so we do actually have a reason to be suspicious. It was in the news.

[@vscanzi]

I totally agree her balance checks makes her look immature... but, not only this is a incredible routine, there are thousands of experienced gymnasts with horrible balance checks all the time too :S

[@giannacadorna3798]

because she is

[@alexzjay]

Thanks.

[@SmileLucyLu]

actually she was 16 back then, yes asians do look younger than their age

[@Flora-hu8dy]

how old is she

[@gamergirlcanada88]

+Flora Wang in this 16

[@makelovenotwar9941]

This would have scored higher than Shawn's in the TF had she completed the front aerial-back tuck-Korbut series.

[@Kin1247]

How come its score could not reach 16 so pretty work

[@russiangymfan]

To MRdeaven: Linlin Deng was born on April 21th, 1992! I cannot believe some Americans are still spreading rumors about Chinese girl's ages and pouring dirty water on these beautiful lovely gymnasts. Did these gymnasts do anything to harm you? Unbeliable mean-spirit from these people. Just see how Chinese public treat American gymnasts like Johnson, you can tell who are more civilized (type "hall of fame shawn johnson" to see the video clip).

[@wingyan123hk]

And now they are turning to the swimmers, because obviously they can't get enough of this stuff.

[@chuckdog1231]

he form is incredible i cant do that on the ground not to mention 4 feet in the air on a 4 inch peice of wood

[@sophialeung1824]

she is 23 now. She did much better in 2012 london.

[@artyowen92]

czuzk is right in what he/she says... the difficulty is extremely high now a days, much higher than when comaneci scored her 10s, but also, you look at linlin and u cant help thinking that she looks too young to be there. The blance checks and hand flicks that finish each move arent that of a typical olympian, and to me make her seem very childish and out of place amongst the others. Going on dificulty, i agree she holds her own though

[@ladybugforever8563]

like s no soy la uica q habla español

[@capscoach]

@bernardmvella not true...that much pressure in your body at a young age is not good...all doctors say so and the number of adolescent orthopedic injuries is on a huge rise as kids get more and more competitive at a young age...for every gymsast that you reference there are TONS that never made it that far because of injury...ideally a gymnast should reach her peak between 16-18. Also that hard work load stunts a girls menstrul cycle and causes calcium deficiencies

[@armywifeftbragg]

Wish they would pull the whole age limit thing. If they're good enough to compete at this level then let them compete. Who cares how old they are.

[@Lilhoney22100]

stop at 1:04 amazinggg

[@cclover876]

wow amazing routine

[@organicjuice]

Look may not be the best judge for age. She still looks 12 this year.

[@alexzjay]

She was 15 in 2008, 16 in 2009, that is legal.

[@Ankholympios]

So true!!!!

[@czucksk84life]

nobody under 16 works beam this well

[@russiangymfan]

Nasiir48: NO Chinese is messy on beam! If you think Deng Linlin is messy on beam, you should first check Americans on beam. Sac just waves her arms purposelessly, no flow, and has poor form. Liukin crosses her legs and feet all the time.

[@B1zn3tch]

I'm not saying Americans don't cheat cause some of them do and have been caught, but I'm saying a lot of the chinese gymnasts are underaged when competing in the olympics.

[@capscoach]

@gordon2191 and FYI...annorexia and Bulimia will destroy your body even faster than obesity will...and so many of these gymnasts start cutting back on food develop eating disorders very early. I worked with an 8 year old gymnast who was already diagnosed annorexic

[@付竹]

邓琳琳，加油！

[@capscoach]

@gordon2191 last thing don't make a comment about a sport a political comment. Disrespecting someone's country doesn't make your point more valid.

[@brwneydgirl70]

Wow she so good she makes it look so easy TT.TT jelousss

[@CarelleTssg]

She was 14 years also He Kexin... :) She is very very STRONG . You are AMAZING Deng Lilin !

[@fpinon5150]

she looks small

[@capscoach]

@gordon2191 yes...because it would be impossible to find a healthy middle between over worked child and obese video game loving teen. When I have kids I plan to have them involved in physical activity and a healthy lifestyle but not push them past their physical and emotional limits.

[@natalienat518]

the spin is only a C!!!!!

[@natalienat518]

her spin is only a C, .3

[@BlackSharpies]

i like her name. lol

[@Lalala417]

So you're just jealous that they look so young. If, as you said, she's 12, then it just makes her even more talented, no? and how can u judge by the physical appearance? the Chinese are born shorter than western people! She's 136cm! i checked, she just turned 16 in April 2008, before the olympics. beat that.

[@zouzounakiiilol]

see 0:19 -0:23 waw...

[@pinkmochaxx]

the other chinese girls had better qual scores than she did.

[@付竹]

有趣，要想人前显贵，哪个不得背后受罪？可笑某些受不得罪又眼红人家显贵的，哪儿凉快哪儿待着去吧！

[@czucksk84life]

damn

[@nelsonlo001]

not as annoying as your comment

[@cpuntosilva3390]

Esta china no para de hablar!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LuisMiguel2191]

jajajajajajjaja

[@cmdrink99]

China claims she's how old... 16?

[@kras118]

When has it been proven that American gymnasts use drugs?

[@gordon2191]

@capscoach Maybe these talented young women should retire and play video games and eat Cheetos, Chocolate and pizza and develop like most American teens... I would rather my children take pride in their hard work and abilities then to DESTROY their bodies buy living the "American Dream". I suppose Steven Hawking's should stop thinking too? Your sad Bernard... Madoff?

[@groud123456]

OVERSCORED!!!

[@maestrostring00]

stole shawn johnson's move !!

[@tdl0221]

Not a very good commentator

[@lindaselander9602]

Shes no Simone!😂