Reaching the highest podium
Cross-country skier Jin Ran from Heilongjiang has set bigger goals for herself after winning two gold medals in the recent youth group competition. The competition, which featured individual short distance races using traditional and free techniques, saw Jin Ran dominating the women’s events.
After claiming the women’s 10km gold on the 23rd, Jin Ran went on to secure another gold in the individual short distance finals. Her impressive performance in the final round, where she finished in 3 minutes and 44 seconds, left her competitors in the dust. Jin Ran credited her success to her coach’s training and discipline.
Participating in her first national competition, Jin Ran emphasized the importance of staying grounded and working hard every day. She expressed gratitude for her team’s overall strength, with 4 out of 6 finalists hailing from the Heilongjiang team.
Looking ahead, Jin Ran is gearing up for the women’s 4x5km relay event, where she will strive for another podium finish. Meanwhile, in the men’s category, Saimuhar Selik of the Xinjiang team also shone bright, clinching the championship in the traditional skills category.
Reflecting on his journey in cross-country skiing, Saimuhar Selik expressed gratitude towards his coaches for guiding him to success in just under four years. He has set his sights on future competitions and ultimately the Winter Olympics.
The “14th Winter” youth competition has provided a platform for emerging talents like Jin Ran and Saimuhar Selik to showcase their skills and set their sights on greater achievements in the sport. As the competition wraps up, these young athletes are already looking towards the “15th Winter” open category and beyond. The future of cross-country skiing in China looks bright with promising talents like Jin Ran and Saimuhar Selik leading the way.