The Challenge Cup, an official event of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), brings together the world’s strongest athletes, especially those who have won world titles.

The FIG said 24 teams will compete in Zibo, and the Vietnam athlete will be the only Southeast Asian representative.

Thanh will participate in the women’s pommel event against nine rivals including Croatian Tijana Tkalcec, German Oksana Chusovitina, Slovakian Teja Belak and Chinese Jinnan Yao.

The FIG has also invited Vietnamese referee Nguyen Thi Cam Van to join the Cup officials.

VNS