Mo Huilan: From a gymnastic champion to a celebrity

Life after gymnastics

By all accounts, Mo's life after gymnastics has been fruitful. She has enjoyed status as a celebrity in China, where she is recognized as one of the country's most beloved sports figures. She pursued her education at Ren Min University in Beijing and subsequently began a career as a sports journalist and commentator. She has also tried her hand at modeling and has a contract with the Li Ning company. She portrayed former teammate Sang Lan in a television miniseries.

Mo Huilan is serious as acting her role of a journalist.

Skills

Mo's style was noted for its excellent form, extension, and difficulty. She also frequently used cheeky choreography on the floor. On the uneven bars, she was the first woman to perform a Gaylord salto, a front flip over the high bar. This skill is now known as the "Mo Salto" in the Code of Points, and is still classified as a top difficulty element. Only a handful of other women gymnasts have attempted and successfully completed the Mo Salto.

Facts

Name: Mo Huilan

Gender: Female

Date of Birth: July 1979

Place of Birth: Guilin, Guangxi Province

Height: 150cm

Sport: Gymnastics

Achievements

1993

Cottbus International: 6th All-Around (AA)

1994

Asian Games: 1st Team, 1st Vault, 1st Uneven Bars (UB), 1st Balance beam (B), 1st Free Exercise (FX), 3rd AA

World Championships (Brisbane): 7th AA, 7th FX

World Championships (Dortmund): 4th Team

1995

World Championships (Sabae): 1st B, 2nd Team, 2nd UB, 4th V, 4th FX, 6th AA

1996

Chinese Nationals: 1st AA

Olympic Games: 2nd V, 4th Team, 5th AA, 6th FX

1997

BLR-CHN-SUI Tri Meet: 1st Team, 3rd AA

World Championships (Lausanne): 3rd Team