Chinese freestyle skier Zhang Xin in action. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese freestyle skier Zhang Xin claimed the first gold medal for the home team of Ürümqi, Xinjiang during the 2016 National Winter Games of China after she prevailed in the Women's Aerial Freestyle Skiing competitions on Jan. 21.
Zhang topped the event with a score of 94.47 points to beat Qiqihar, Heilongjiang's Kong Fanyu and Shen Xiaoxue, who settled for the silver and bronze respectively, as per China Daily.
The veteran Chinese athlete was actually not the favorite to win the event, but 25-year-old world champion Xu Mengtao, who grabbed the silver medal in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the gold medal in the 2013 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships.
However, Xu got injured and tore "ligaments on her left knee" during her jump in the final round to sink her to fifth place in the event with 63.08 points. She was carted off from the venue with a stretcher and was immediately taken to a local hospital for examinations.
"I felt a little nervous before the competition and didn't expect the gold medal. I think I just presented a normal performance, it influenced me a lot after being sidelined one year due to injury, I can say I have overcome myself," the 30-year-old Anshan, China native told reporters afterward.
Zhang is considered as one of the four best freestyle skiers in the country, along with Xu, Cheng Shuang, and Li Nina. The four athletes ranked in the top five of the aerials competitions during the 2013-14 FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup. As of the moment, Zhang has a total of 15 World Cup podium finishes in her remarkable career.
Meanwhile, in the men's competitions, 2012 champion Liu Zhongqing of Daqing, Heilongjiang successfully defended his title by scoring 119.04 points in the final of the said event. Liu won it the first time during the 12th National Winter Games held in Changchun, Jilin.
"I was excited when I first won the title four years ago, but this time I felt very calm. I am not sure whether or not I can compete in the Olympic Games two years later, it depends on my physical conditions," Liu said, via Cri English.
Zhou Hang of Qiqihar and Wang Xindi of the host team captured the silver and bronze medals respectively.
