China make history with record medal tally at Winter Youth Olympic Games

China have continued their impressive reign in winter sports by delivering yet another superlative display at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games. Building on their phenomenal success during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, where they secured an unprecedented nine gold medals, Chinese athletes showcased their prowess once again on the global stage.  

Over the course of 13 days in South Korea's Gangwon province, China achieved their best-ever medal tally in the history of the tournament. With a record haul of six gold, nine silver, and three bronze medals, they claimed a commendable third place in the overall medal count.  

While the United States clinched the highest number of medals won overall, totaling 21, and Italy emerged as the leader in gold medals, with 11, Chinese youngsters left an indelible mark with their exceptional performances.

In a thrilling display of dexterity and teamwork, Yang Jingru and Li Jinzi executed a rarely seen tactical maneuver during the women's 1500m short track speed skating final, securing China's first gold medal in dramatic fashion.  

Their partnership continued to yield spectacular results as they went on to claim the gold and silver medals in the women's 1000m event. Additionally, their contributions were instrumental in China's triumph in the mixed team relay.

Notably, the 16-year-old Zhang Xinzhe exhibited immense potential by capturing the gold medal in the men's 1000m race, and adding silver medals in both the 500m and 1500m events. The young skater's flair and panache were evident as he consistently impressed on the ice.

In the gripping final of the mixed relay, the Chinese team composed of Pan Baoshuo and Liu Yunqi demonstrated admirable strength of will. Despite facing tough competition from the South Korean and Dutch opponents, they maintained a steady lead throughout the race. In a breathtaking finale, they unleashed an extraordinary burst of speed in the final lap, surpassing their rivals by a mere 0.04 seconds and bagging the coveted gold medal.

China also made significant strides in the women's halfpipe event. Liu Yishan claimed the women's freestyle skiing halfpipe title with a masterful display across all three runs. The 16-year-old sensation took the lead with each performance, earning an exceptional score of 92.25 points. It is worth noting that since her debut just a year prior, Liu has already achieved three top-10 halfpipe results in the World Cup, solidifying her status as a rising star in the sport.

Adding to China's success, 14-year-old Chen Zihan pocketed the silver medal with a superb score of 83.75 points. The dominance displayed by Liu and Chen in this event mirrored the magnificent achievements of Gu Ailing and Li Fanghui at the previous edition of the Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne in 2020. 

China's ability to consistently produce splendid freestyle skiers underscores their commitment to cultivating young talent and their standing as a force to be reckoned with in the world of winter sports.

The first Winter Youth Olympics held in Asia took place across the Gangwon province, utilizing 12 venues to host a total of seven sports, 15 disciplines, and 81 events. The grand finale unfolded during the closing ceremony on Thursday night, where a multitude of the 1,801 talented athletes were present.  

Alongside them stood about 2,000 volunteers, who were rightfully commended for their invaluable contributions in guaranteeing the seamless execution of the fourth edition of the Winter Youth Olympics. Amid the gathering, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach graced the occasion, before stepping onto the stage to express his gratitude to everyone involved. 

Acknowledging the immense efforts put forth, he declared, "None of this would have been possible without the tremendous work of our South Korean friends, the organizing committee, the South Korean people, the dedicated volunteers, and the various levels of government."  

"Their unwavering commitment has played a pivotal role in making the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 a brilliant success," he added.