Wu Yanni Wins First Gold Medal in Women’s Freestyle Skiing at the Winter Olympics
Wu Yanni, a 17-year-old Chinese freestyle skier, won the first gold medal in women’s big air at the Winter Olympics on February 8, 2023. Wu’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as she landed two triple flips and a quad cork to score an impressive 94.50.
Wu’s victory is a historic moment for Chinese freestyle skiing, as it is the first time that a Chinese athlete has won a gold medal in this discipline at the Olympics. Wu’s win is also a testament to the growing popularity of freestyle skiing in China, as more and more young people are taking up the sport.
China’s Lin Yuwei claimed the women’s 100m hurdles title at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in dramatic circumstances, after Wu Yanni was disqualified for a lane infringement.
Wu had crossed the finish line first in a time of 12.93 seconds, with Lin second in 13.00 seconds. However, after a review of the race footage, Wu was disqualified for stepping outside of her lane twice.
This meant that Lin was awarded the gold medal, with India’s Jyothi Yarraji taking the silver and Wu’s teammate Wang Chunyu winning the bronze.
The disqualification was a bitter blow for Wu, who had been the favorite to win the gold medal. However, Lin was a deserving winner, and she produced a superb performance to win her first major international title.
The disqualification also sparked controversy, with some people arguing that it was unfair to disqualify Wu for such a minor infringement. However, the judges ruled that Wu had broken the rules, and their decision was final.
The drama of the women’s 100m hurdles final was a fitting climax to a night of athletics at the Asian Games. Lin’s victory was a special moment for China, and it is sure to be remembered for years to come.
