London 2012: Breaking Down China's Top 10 Athletes to Watch in the Olympics

China has high hopes for the 2012 Olympics after hosting of the 2008 Olympics and announcing its arrival on the international stage, not only as a nation but as a sports institution.

The Beijing Olympics raised China's profile as a sports power significantly, showing that emerging nation could challenge the United States atop the highest achieving athletic programs in the world. The Chinese finished second in total medal count and took home the most gold medals of any nation

With four more years to develop an ever-burgeoning network of athletic development programs, China could prove to showcase an even more well-rounded and talented core of athletes looking to bring pride to the fiercely nationalistic country this summer.

China's strengths lie in its ability to develop elite talent in a number of fields, something that becomes even more apparent when highlighting 10 of the most important athletes to watch this summer.

From sharpshooters to Badminton to the 110m hurdles, this list does its best to show you the 10 Chinese competitors worth keeping an eye on in London this summer.

Liu Xiang, 110-Meter Hurdle

One of China's most high-profile athletes heading into this summer's Games, hurdler Liu Xiang will look to London as a chance to avenge a disappointing performance in front of his home crowd in 2008. 

Although China may have topped the gold medal count in the 2008 Olympics, its shortcomings on the track were noticeable, taking home only two bronze medals in the women's hammer throw and marathon events.

Liu was a big part of that disappointment, when the medal-favorite scratched from his first-round heat due to an Achilles tendon injury. His withdrawal reportedly left fans and coaches in attendance in tears. 

However, Liu appears to be returning to top form, running the fastest time in the world thus far this year, once again placing him as a contender for the gold medal. 

Liu still must deal with the weight of a country's hopes in track on his back, but his experience and his apparent return to pre-Beijing performances should posit him as a solid pick to challenge for the gold this summer. 

Wu Peng, Men’s 200-Meter Butterfly

Michael Phelps will look to continue his recent run of dominance in the Olympic pool, but he may find himself in stiff competition with a relatively unknown Chinese challenger in one of the eight-time gold medalists' strongest events. 

Wu Peng, the 25-year-old swimmer from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, caught the international swimming community's attention with two impressive wins over Phelps in the Michigan Grand Prix last year and Charlotte Grand Prix earlier this month. His win in Michigan was the first loss the American star had suffered in the event since 2002. 

Wu had a solid performance against Phelps in the 200-meter butterfly in Beijing but failed to gain a medal, placing fourth in the event.

While Phelps' historic legacy in the Games should make him the favorite heading into the event, the emerging Chinese talent could have a chance at his first Olympic medal if he can continue his recent besting of the 14-time champion. 

Zou Shiming, Men’s 48kg Boxing

Although not a traditional power in the realm of Olympic boxing, China has seen a significant raise in profile in recent Games, thanks in large part to national standout Zou Shiming.

Zou, who will be competing in his third games for the nation, holds the distinction of being the first Chinese boxer ever to win a medal in the Olympics, receiving a bronze medal in Athens in the fly-lightweight division.

Zou followed up his historic achievement in Athens with an even more significant victory, taking home China's first gold medal in the sport with his win against Pürevdorjiin Serdamba of Mongolia.

However, Zou's medal-run was marred by a scoring mistake in his bout against Patrick Barnes of Ireland, in which points that should have been awarded to Barnes were instead attributed to the Chinese national. 

Zou will look to prove this summer that his 2008 gold was not an undeserved victory. Entering the competition as the amateur world champion in the fly-lightweight division, the 30-year old veteran will be a favorite to repeat as champion in this year's Games.

While Zou's age may prove to be a liability, he should be one of China's better odds at taking home a gold medal in 2012.

Li Na, Women's Tennis

An emerging star in both her home country and the international circuit, China's Li Na could stand to become the face of a rising new sport in Chinese culture with an impressive performance in London's tennis championships.

The French Open champion in 2011, Li has the notable achievement of being the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title, as well the first to even appear in a final of a Grand Slam.

Li is somewhat controversial figure amongst her own country's Olympic committee, due to her open split with the Chinese tennis federation in a bid to have more independence in the running of her own career. Li has looked strong in her play leading up to London and is focusing on having a successful Games in 2012.

Women's tennis has just begun to raise its profile amongst the Chinese population, achieving it's first medals with doubles gold medal in 2004. If Li Na can put on an impressive performance in London this summer, she could become a de facto icon for the growing sport in China. 

Zou Kai, Men's Gymnastics

One of the most dominant Olympics programs in recent history, the Chinese gymnastics team has taken quite a hit in the years following their success in 2008 and will need strong performances out of its remaining veterans if it hopes to continue its run of medals through the London games.

One such veteran will be 2008 gold medalist Zou Kai, who will look to defend his titles in the floor and the horizontal bar competitions for China this summer.

One of the few remaining members of the 2008 gymnastics team which took home 11 gold medals in a dominating win, Zou will be expected to carry a larger load for a Chinese team without much depth. He may be called upon to perform in more events than his Beijing outing.

Zou has looked strong so far in various competitions through this and last year and should be in top form for London.

The Chinese' dreams of continued prominence in men's gymnastics will hinge heavily upon Kai's ability to repeat his strong performances in 2008.

Zi He & Minxia Wu, Women's Diving

In a program known to be a "factory" for elite talent, He Zi and Wu Minxia may be considered the crown jewels of one of the world's most successful diving teams. 

He and Wu will compete in several individual events for the Chinese in London, as well as team up in the women's synchronized 3-meter springboard event.

The owners of a preposterously dedicated training schedule, the two divers look to be a favorite to take home medals with several impressive wins on the international circuit this year. Wu will defend her title in the synchronized 3-meter springboard, after taking home the gold in 2008 with former partner Guo Jingjing, who retired in 2011.

Amongst the favorite in both individual and synchronized events, He and Wu should be the combo to beat heading into London this summer. Barring any unforeseen developments, they should continue China's recent success in women's diving. 

Deng Linlin, Women's Gymnastics

If China's male gymnastics team has cause for concern heading into this summer's games, then that worry is only increased when looking at the female squad's chances in London.

The gold medal team in 2008, the women's team has suffered significant losses in its personnel in the four years following Beijing, leaving the Chinese wondering if they will be able to repeat in 2012.

Returning gold medalist Deng Linlin will be imperative to their odds at achieving this. She emerged during the down period to become the country's national champion in their trials earlier this month.

Deng did not take home any individual medals in Beijing, but she did compete in the team final for the Chinese and will likely take on added responsibility on this year's younger team.

Many predict that this summer could be the end of the dominant era of Chinese gymnastics in the Olympics. However, if Deng and her inexperienced colleagues can rise to the occasion, China could come away with a surprising finish in London.

Du Li, Shooting (10-Meter Air Rifle, 50-Meter Rifle)

Chinese sharpshooter Du Li was able to overcome early tragedy in Beijing on her way to a very successful games, and her added experience and resiliency should prove to be asset heading into London's competition. 

Competing in her third games for China, the two-time gold medalist is considered a favorite to further increase her medal count in 2012.

Du's impressive performance in the 2008 Games was underscored by an admirable ability to persevere after her disappointing finish in the first event of the games. She was expected to win and provide China's first gold of the game, but she quickly departed the stadium in tears after coming in fifth.

Du looked strong during national trials and performed well enough to hold the lead after the preliminary round earlier this year.

Du buckled early under immense national pressure during her first events in Beijing but was able to rally back to her elite form by the end of the competition. With such tense local pressure now removed, Du should prove to be a favorite for the gold heading into London.

Lin Dan, Men's Badminton

Considered by many to be the greatest player to ever grace his sport, badminton player Lin Dan will have to the ability to assert his dominance over the field on perhaps the grandest possible stage for the oft-overlooked sport. 

Although a four-time world champion, Lin at this point has only had the opportunity to snag one Olympic medal, taking gold in the 2008 men's singles competition, which could be considered redemption for a shocking first-round exit in Athens.

Known to be somewhat of a loose-cannon (he reportedly punched his coach in the face in 2008 as well as thrown a racket at an opponent), Lin should provide some secondary entertainment with his fiery antics, in addition to his elite abilities with a racket.

Although badminton is not a sport that normally commands hefty attention during coverage, Linn's status as the best ever, combined with his explosive personality, should provide for a rather interesting competition this summer. 

Qin Kai and Luo Yutong, Men's Diving

It should be no surprise that the Chinese diving team, a dominant force in both genders, will challenge for the men's championship in London as well this summer.

Qin Kai and Luo Yutong will be He and Wu's male equivalents in this year's games. They look to be just as tough of a challenge to best as their female counterparts heading into the 2012 Games.

Qin and Luo already put together an outstanding performance at the World Championships in London last July, receiving 10 perfect marks on their way to a gold medal in the  3-meter synchronized.

Qin will hope to add to his collection of golds (he took one home in the 3-meter synchronized in Beijing), while Luo will have the opportunity to grab his first for the country in his Olympic debut.

Just one piece of a spectacular Chinese diving program entering London this summer, Qin and Luo should be considered the duo to beat in the 2012 Games and another lock to add to China's medal count.