Athletes in action during the sprint event at the Asian Ski Mountaineering Championships in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, March 6, 2024. /CFP
Ski mountaineering, an exhilarating winter endurance sport that combines cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and the challenge of conquering steep mountain slopes, has long been synonymous with the Alpine nations of Europe. But the landscape is shifting swiftly as China, with their remarkable aptitude for learning, have made astonishing progress in recent years.
China's meteoric rise was on full display at the 2024 Asian Ski Mountaineering Championships, where they left no doubt about their supremacy by achieving a clean sweep of all seven gold medals on offer. Cidan Yuzhen and Buluer, two extraordinary young athletes, undoubtedly stole the show for China at the tournament, leaving audiences spellbound with their mesmerizing performances.
Cidan Yuzhen demonstrated her exceptional skills by claiming victory in the women's individual events, vertical race and the sprint, leaving her competitors in awe of her talent. Meanwhile, Buluer left an indelible impact with his outstanding masterclass, bagging two gold medals in the men's individual and vertical races, demonstrating his sheer stamina and adroitness on the slopes.
Cidan Yuzhen (C) and Buluer (L) during the mixed relay event at the Asian Ski Mountaineering Championships in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, March 6, 2024. /CFP
The dynamic duo also teamed up, combining their strengths to triumph in the mixed relay event, further cementing their status as unstoppable forces in ski mountaineering.
Li Wenmao, an official from China's General Administration of Sport, expressed immense satisfaction with the brilliant accomplishments of Team China at the Asian Championships, but he also emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective and not getting carried away with success.
"The fact that all the champions in this competition hail from our nation is a testament to the progress we have made in our preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics," Li observed. "Yet, we must remain grounded and recognize that our ultimate goal is to strive for exceptional results at the Winter Olympics.
"Our team will remain humble, address any weaknesses, set clear objectives, and devote ourselves entirely to the preparations for the upcoming Winter Games."