Editor's note: China's 34-year-old taekwondo veteran Wu Jingyu has bid farewell to Tokyo 2020 with a repechage defeat on July 24, but she is adamant about keeping her bond with the sport following her fourth Olympic journey. Wu said taekwondo is her lifelong passion, and the Olympics have taught her to face challenges with the right attitude.
Uzbekistan's 46-year-old gymnast Oksana Chusovitina narrowly failed to reach the vault final on July 25. She fought back tears after her career came to a close at the Olympics.
Let's find out more about these two brave veterans here.
Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan reacts as she leaves after competition in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. [Photo/IC]
Gymnast Oksana Chusovitina
The legendary career of 46-year-old gymnast Oksana Chusovitina came to an end after her record-setting eighth Olympic appearance on July 25.
Competing for Uzbekistan on vault during qualifying round, Chusovitina narrowly failed to reach the final with a 14.166 score.
Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan is embraced by Orabi Bader, physiotherapist for Israel, after performing on the vault. [Photo/IC]
Chusovitina first participated in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where she took home a team gold medal. She later added a silver medal in Germany in 2008.
Chusovitina has won 32 medals in total since beginning her professional gymnastics career in 1991. She was inducted in the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2017.
Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan in action on the vault. [Photo/IC]
Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan performs on the vault during the women's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. [Photo/IC]
China's gold medalist Wu Jingyu celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 49kg taekwondo competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London Aug 8, 2012. [Photo/IC]
Taekwondo veteran Wu Jingyu
China's taekwondo veteran Wu Jingyu, 34, has bid farewell to Tokyo 2020 with a repechage defeat on July 24, but she is adamant about keeping her bond with the sport following her fourth Olympic journey.
Wu, a double Olympic gold medal winner at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, is widely considered one of the greatest athletes in taekwondo.
Gold medalist Wu Jingyu of China stands on the podium during the medal awards ceremony for the Women's 49kg Taekwondo at the Beijing University of Science and Technology during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Aug 20, 2008. [Photo/IC]
Wu was ready to retire after the 2016 Rio Games. However, after giving birth to her daughter in 2017, she made a strong return to international competition, deciding to go for glory once more at her fourth Olympics.
Chinas Wu Jingyu celebrates after winning the women's 49kg taekwondo competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Aug 20, 2008. [Photo/IC]
Wu Jingyu of China speaks with her coach during the Repechage Round for the Women's 49kg Taekwondo at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo on July 24, 2021. [Photo/IC]
