In a stunning performance at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado, Wang Ziyang of China clinched the gold medal in the men’s snowboard knuckle huck on Saturday. Making his debut at the event, Wang delivered an unforgettable finale that grabbed the world’s attention.
Trailing in fourth place before his final run, the 20-year-old snowboarder needed something spectacular to secure the top spot. Rising to the occasion, Wang executed a triple frontflip with nose and tail taps, landing it with near-perfect precision. The crowd erupted as he soared to the top of the podium.
Wang’s victory is historic, as he becomes the first person from his country to win the men’s knuckle huck at the X Games. Additionally, he made history by being the first athlete to compete in both the superpipe and knuckle huck events at the X Games.
“I knew I had to give it everything on that last run,” Wang said after the competition. “I’m thrilled to bring this gold medal home.”
Switzerland’s Patrick Hofmann claimed the silver medal, while Dusty Henricksen of the United States took bronze in a fiercely competitive field.
The successes for China didn’t end there. Wang’s compatriot, Li Fanghui, secured her first X Games medal by earning silver in the women’s ski superpipe final with a score of 86.66 points. Canada’s Cassie Sharpe won gold with 88.33 points, and her fellow Canadian Amy Fraser took bronze with 84.66 points.
These remarkable achievements signal a rising prominence of Chinese athletes in winter sports on the global stage.
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Wang Ziyang of China wins men's snowboard knuckle huck at X Games
cgtn.com
