Gold medalist Xu Mengtao of China attends the press conference after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
HARBIN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese star skier Xu Mengtao clinched victory in the freestyle skiing women's aerials at the Harbin Asian Winter Games on Sunday.
The 34-year-old Olympic champion dominated the final with 90.94 points, while her compatriot Chen Xuezheng took the silver with 81.58. Kazakhstan's Ayana Zholdas earned the bronze with 76.54.
Xu performed even better in her first jump with 97.99 to reach the second round. Despite not landing perfectly, Xu still sealed the victory at ease.
"I'm thrilled with my performance," said Xu. "The first-round score is my seasonal best for that routine. In the final, I focused on consistency, and it paid off." ■
Gold medalist Xu Mengtao (C) of China, silver medalist Chen Xuezheng (L) of China and bronze medalist Ayana Zholdas of Kazakhstan pose during the awarding ceremony after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
Gold medalist Xu Mengtao of China poses during the awarding ceremony after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
Gold medalist Xu Mengtao (C) of China, silver medalist Chen Xuezheng (L) of China and bronze medalist Ayana Zholdas of Kazakhstan pose during the awarding ceremony after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
Gold medalist Xu Mengtao (C) of China, silver medalist Chen Xuezheng (L) of China and bronze medalist Ayana Zholdas of Kazakhstan pose during the awarding ceremony after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
Bronze medalist Ayana Zholdas of Kazakhstan poses during the awarding ceremony after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
Silver medalist Chen Xuezheng of China poses during the awarding ceremony after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
Gold medalist Xu Mengtao of China attends the press conference after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
Silver medalist Chen Xuezheng of China attends the press conference after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
Bronze medalist Ayana Zholdas of Kazakhstan attends the press conference after the freestyle skiing women's aerials final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
