Gold in women's aerials a first for China

Xu already owned 27 World Cup golds and received the highest score in the world for jumps among female aerial skiers. But she only managed to bring home a silver medal from the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

Due to injuries, she finished sixth and ninth at Vancouver 2010 and Pyeongchang 2018, respectively, so winning Olympic gold has been a "lifelong desire", Xu said.

"I'm just super excited. This is the first gold medal won by China in women's aerials, and it's just super cool," she said after the victory. "I just wanted to do the best tricks I could and I did it, and that was all."

China's Han Xiaopeng had won the country's first men's aerials Olympic gold medal at the 2006 Turin Winter Games.

Caldwell said she was proud of Xu, whose nickname is Taotao.

"Taotao has been pushing triples for longer than I have, and I respect her wholeheartedly. For her to win the gold medal in her own country is an incredible accomplishment, and it brought tears to my eyes," the US skier said.

Xu said she believes systematic training and keeping in good form brought her the gold medal.

"I've been in good shape for the past four years, so I've given my best to prepare for this moment. Today I only come here to see the result," she said.

"It's going to be a sleepless night for me. I will use every minute to enjoy the win."

Gold medallist Xu Mengtao of China, silver medallist Hanna Huskova of Belarus and bronze medallist Megan Nick of the United States celebrate with their national flags during the flower ceremony. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]

Xu Mengtao of China reacts after her run during the freestyle skiing women's aerials final of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at Genting Snow Park in Zhangjiakou, North China's Hebei province, Feb 14, 2022. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]