Chinese boarder Cui Chenxi competes in the final of the women's street at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province on Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
13-year-old prodigy Cui Chenxi captured gold in skateboarding women's street to become China's youngest-ever Asian Games champion, while Zhang Jie gave the hosts more reason for celebration by winning the men's street title.
HANGZHOU, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- China collected both the men's and women's street gold medals, along with a silver and a bronze on the last day of skateboarding competition at the Asian Games here on Wednesday.
13-year-old sensation Cui Chenxi captured gold in the women's street final to become China's youngest-ever Asian Games champion.
Cui's journey to gold began impressively, provisionally ranking first after the run stage. Despite a few stumbles in the trick stage, she ultimately claimed victory with 242.62 points.
"I am very happy to win the gold. Before the competition, my family and coaches told me to do my best, but I really wanted to win. This was the most confident competition I've ever been in," Cui said.
China's Zeng Wenhui rebounded from early challenges and managed to clinch the silver medal with 236.61 points while Japan's Ito Miyu secured bronze with 221.59 points.
Defending champion Didal Margielyn of the Philippines unexpectedly withdrew from the competition due to an injury in the first round.
Chinese athlete Zhang Jie in action in men's street final. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
In the men's street final, Japanese sensation Onodera Ginu surprisingly failed to land any successful tricks and finished with a remote 7th.
China's 16-year-old Zhang Jie hit the ground running with a first run score of 70.58 before nailing his first and fourth trick to finish with a combined score of 231.14.
Indonesia's Sannggoe Darma Tanjung sealed silver with 200.63, while the bronze medal went to China's Su Jianjun who totalled 195.73. ■