Sweat and tears: China's kid gymnasts

china, children, gymanstics, kids — Zhang Yuan via chinasmack.com

Caption translated by chinasmack.com: "One movement repeated so many times, even hundreds of times. One set of movements practiced for five years. Every year, more than 30 children join the gymnastics team, but very few are able to stick with it. 'Every year there are so many talented children who give up on training, which is so saddening,' says the coach."

Caption translated by chinasmack.com: "The little kids practice using their tender hands to stand upside-down. Coach Xia repeats over and over again the essential elements, correcting the kids

Caption translated via chinasmack.com: "Chain reaction: If one child utters a cry, it will prompt the entire group of children to cry, and the more they cry, the louder it gets. At this time Coach Xia will tempt them with snacks."

Caption translated via chinasmack.com: "Four lively 'little bats' hanging there resting."

Caption translated via chinasmack.com: "In her determined expression is also a kind of numbness, having become accustomed to training like this every day, as well as screaming from pain daily, persisting on."

Caption translated via chinasmack.com: "When break time comes, the children's innate natures burst forth, playing games, running around chasing each other, where everything in a room with only exercise everything can be a toy, even a ray of sunlight. Two children compete to see whose eagle can fly higher."

Caption translated via chinasmack.com: "Pain is present every day, but the children persevere, for their own dreams of becoming champions."

Caption translated via chinasmack.com: "'Abs that one can brag about in front of their classmates are developed like this.' Boys don't complain so much. Whatever the coach says to do, they do, and can complete their tasks very quickly."

Caption translated via chinasmack.com: "Boys are more mischievous, always liking to show off whenever they see the camera."

Caption translated via chinasmack.com: "A giant 'gold' character (i.e. the Chinese symbol for the word 'gold') is hung on the wall, bright red and hot, always searing itself into the young hearts and minds of the children. 'Children with this kind of dream and who can stick [with the training] are few and far between. Most parents will feel for their children, and end up burying a good seedling [wasting a child with good potential],' says Coach Xia regrettably. 'A child who can successfully take this path, most should thank their parents for persevering.'"

Caption translated via chinasmack.com: "Here, childhood is spent on balance beams, parallel bars and vaults, because in here lie their dreams. Three and a half year old Man Ni doesn't know what this is all about, only aware that she likes walking on a balance beam, swinging on the uneven bars. Her childhood, just like that of other kids, belongs to sweat and tears."