Chinese athletes continued to showcase their prowess at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, securing multiple gold medals on Wednesday.
The day began with a triumphant performance in cross-country skiing, where China’s women’s team claimed gold in the 4×5 kilometer relay held in Yabuli. The team of Li Lei, Chi Chunxue, Chen Lingshuang, and Dinigeer Yilamujiang delivered an outstanding display of teamwork and endurance.
Li Lei, already a champion in the women’s sprint classic, set a strong pace from the start, quickly leading the race. By the end of the second leg, Chi Chunxue had extended their lead to 47 seconds. Chen Lingshuang further widened the gap to one minute before Dinigeer Yilamujiang crossed the finish line with a total time of 53 minutes and 59.3 seconds. Kazakhstan took silver, while Japan secured bronze.
In the men’s 4×7.5 kilometer relay, China staged a remarkable comeback. Despite trailing by over 30 seconds, the quartet of Li Minglin, Cirenzhandui, Bao Lin, and Wang Qiang surged ahead in the final stages to clinch gold, narrowly defeating Japan by 3.2 seconds. Kazakhstan once again settled for third place.
China’s success extended to freestyle skiing, where Liu Mengting, Han Linshan, and Yang Ruyi swept the podium in the women’s big air final. Liu Mengting, who was one of China’s co-flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony, earned her second individual gold with a score of 175.50 points. The trio had dominated the women’s slopestyle final just a day earlier, with Liu also claiming the top spot.
In the newly introduced sport of ski mountaineering, China excelled in the mixed relay event. The duo of Cidanyuzhen and Buluer captured gold, followed by teammates Yu Jingxuan and Bi Yuxin taking silver, and Liu Jianbin and Suolangquzhen securing bronze. Their achievements brought China’s total medals in the discipline to three gold, three silver, and three bronze.
Ski mountaineering, making its debut at the Asian Winter Games, is set to feature in next year’s Winter Olympics, signaling a promising future for the sport.
