On 20/2, Wang Xindi secured the gold medal in men's aerials, scoring 132,60 points in his final jump. This score allowed him to edge out Swiss world champion Noe Roth by a narrow 1,02 points (131,58) during a tense super final, which featured four Chinese athletes competing against two Swiss representatives.

As Roth's score was revealed, Wang knelt on the snow and let out a triumphant shout, releasing years of pent-up pressure. This victory marked China's 4th gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics and was the 30-year-old athlete's first championship title at a global event.

Chinese athletes Xu Mengtao (right) and Wang Xindi, a married couple, both won gold medals in women's and men's aerials at Livigno Snow Park, Sondrio province, Lombardy, Italy, during the 2026 Winter Olympics. *Photo: Olympics*

Wang's triumph followed just two days after Xu Mengtao successfully defended her gold medal in women's aerials. Their dual victories make them one of the rare married couples to secure individual gold medals at the same Winter Olympic Games.

At 35, Xu competed in her fifth Winter Olympics, adding her 2026 gold to a previous gold in 2022 and a silver in 2014.

The couple's journey is particularly notable, with Chinese media revealing a detail from their wedding a few years ago. Xu married Wang, with Song Kai, Director of the Liaoning Provincial Sports Department, officiating the ceremony. Shortly after the wedding, Xu decided to resume training, telling Song that she aimed to help her husband win an Olympic gold medal. Song expressed confidence that her ambition would be realized.

On 20/2, as Chairman of the Chinese Football Association, Song extended his congratulations to the couple, acknowledging the fulfillment of Xu's long-held promise. "I hope Chinese football will also benefit from the couple's achievements", Song remarked.

During the super final, Wang demonstrated remarkable composure at the critical juncture. As the third competitor to jump, he executed a near-perfect landing, earning 132,60 points – the highest score in the event, on a scale of 150. Roth, the final jumper, also performed well but scored 131,58 points.

Wang Xindi's decisive jump and the moment of celebrating victory.

This marked Wang's third Olympic appearance, having never placed higher than 14th at PyeongChang 2018 or Beijing 2022. Consequently, this gold medal far surpassed his expectations. "I didn't dare to dream of a gold medal", Wang stated. "The Olympics differ greatly from the World Cup, from preparation to difficulty. I want to thank myself for not giving up. When faced with challenges or low spirits, I wished to embrace myself".

Despite being married, Wang and Xu maintained a professional demeanor during competitions. "We have competed alongside each other for many years, but we are both professional athletes. Even while celebrating her victory, I had to quickly shift my focus to my own performance", Wang explained. "Xu occasionally wanted to offer technical advice, but she rarely spoke much. I understood what she intended to convey".

In the final, China demonstrated its strength with all 4 athletes placing in the top 6. Li Tianma, 24, secured a bronze medal with 123,93 points in his Olympic debut. Li even lightheartedly suggested to Wang after the event that he should now go home and start a family.

Sun Jiaxu, 26, finished 4th with 123,42 points. Defending champion Qi Guangpu, 35, competing in his fifth Olympics, made an error on his final jump, scoring 81,00 points and placing 6th.

Wang expressed deep respect for both his senior, Qi, and Xu. He lauded them as irreplaceable figures in Chinese aerials skiing, who established the groundwork for subsequent generations. "We can only follow the path they paved and strive to advance further", the new Olympic champion remarked.

The aerials event joined the Olympic program in 1994. Competitors descend a slope at speeds exceeding 65 km/h, launch from a nearly vertical ramp, execute complex aerial maneuvers, and land. Scoring considers height, distance, style, difficulty, and landing technique. In Livigno, the competition rounds occurred amidst snowy and cloudy conditions, increasing the challenge for the athletes.

Wang's victory reinforces China's dominance in this event, building on their performance of two gold medals and one silver at Beijing 2022. Wang and Xu are also expected to compete together in the mixed team event on 21/2, an event where China is highly favored.

Hoang An (according to Xinhua, Dongquidi)