Young Chinese gymnasts find their international rhythm at Beijing showpiece

"I am going to try to improve my performance one step at a time, and try to do my country proud on the international stage."

It was the first time in the 18 years since the 2008 Olympics that Beijing has hosted an international rhythmic gymnastics event. Nevertheless, the meticulous organization and world-class facilities in the Chinese capital earned high praise from athletes, coaches and team officials from across the world.

The World Challenge Cup series will travel to Cluj-Napoca, Romania, this coming weekend, before the rhythmic world championships take place in Germany in August.