Girl somersaults to success

As a little girl, Buni Wangxi was frail and often sick. Peking Opera was both her route to health and success.

Now 11, Buni has won five consecutive first prizes at the National Opera Cup, and this year was admitted as the No 1 candidate to the middle school affiliated to the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts, two years ahead of her peers.

It all started seven years ago, when Buni's mother registered the girl for opera training as a way to strengthen her weakened body.