Photo by Wang Zhiqiang / China Daily

4. Championship team punished

A series of negative incidents marred the image of China's short track speed skating team, which had enjoyed a wildly successful 2010.

In June, members of the team, including Olympic champions Wang Meng and Zhou Yang, reportedly fought with security guards in Yunnan's popular tourism destination, Lijiang, where the team was celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival.

Two months later, four-time Olympic gold medalist Wang (pictured) was expelled from the national team for a drunken brawl with team manager Wang Chunlu after Wang Meng returned late to training camp following a night out.

Wang is now training with a local team in Harbin, and the sport's authority said it might take a long time for her to return to the national team.

 

Provided to China Daily

5. Famous fighter dies after coma

Famous Chinese Kungfu champion Shangguan Pengfei died on Dec 12 after being knocked out in a fight during the National Kungfu Championship on Oct 31.

He had been in a serious condition after the fight.

The events organizers' approach and attitude toward Shangguan's family and his treatment stirred dissatisfaction and fury from his family.

It also sparked controversy over such tournaments, in which fighters are not asked to wear a helmet in order to make the event more attractive and sell more tickets.