Chinese gymnastics sensation Li Xiaopeng, boasting 13 world titles so far, gives up the floor apparatus according to the starting list announced early Saturday by the gymnastics competition committee.

Li appears the last of the Chinese starting list for floor. According to the "654" format, in which one of the six team members will be left on bench per apparatus, he will not compete on the event.

It reignites suspicions about Li's foot injury. Rumors had spread about his Archilles's tendon before the gymnastics competition.

Chinese team is not available right now for comments.

Team leader Gao Jian and head coach Huang Yubin, however, both denied Li's foot injury at the podium training Wednesday.

"He has got the injury for a long time and has no problem now," Huang told Xinhua.

Li Xiaopeng also said he is "Ok and ready for the competition".

The 23-year-old, considered successor to Chinese legend Li Ning, is the favorite for parallel bars and vault, on which he has two difficult maneuvers named after him.

While parallel bars mainly depends on the arms strength, foot injury, if serious, could badly affect gymnast's performance on vault.

China will open their title-defending campaign Saturday afternoon.

Source: Xinhua