Li Xiaoxia

Sport: Table Tennis

Nation: People's Republic of China

DOB: January 16, 1988

Career Highlights: A former world No. 1, Li will make her Olympic debut as one of two Chinese players eligible for the singles event. She finished as the runner-up in the 2007 and '11 world championships, losing to teammate and current top-ranked player Ding Ning in last year’s tournament. Li has won in doubles at the last two worlds, teaming with Guo Yae both times to defeat Ding and Guo Yan in the finals. The Li-Guo partnership forms the world’s top doubles team. Li captured a gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games and was ranked No. 1 as recently as last October. With China a winner of 20 of 24 gold medals since table tennis entered the Olympics in 1988, Li is considered the second-favorite in the singles event behind Ding. Gold is virtually assured for her in the team event, with Guo Yue the third paddler included in the squad.

Olympic History: None