Weng Yangning (right). [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Young Hangzhou talent Weng Yangning secured gold in the women's youth individual standard hill ski jumping event with a score of 160.7 points at the 14th National Winter Games on Jan 31.

The victory marked Zhejiang's first gold medal at the Winter Games and a breakthrough for the province in the ski jumping category.

"I had confidence that I could win before competition. During regular training, I often observe other athletes' performances and realized my own strength, which made me look forward to the competition even more," said Weng after the race.

Hailing from Hangzhou's nearby sibling, Ningbo, Weng initially trained in Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) during her second year of primary school in her hometown. Later, she was scouted by the Hangzhou Chen Jinglun Sports School and switched to boxing. In 2019, she joined the Zhejiang ski jumping team. Last year, in her first national championship, she claimed victories in both the women's individual standard hill and mixed team events.

"Weng is exceptionally hardworking. As an athlete who transitioned from another discipline, she has put in more effort than others," admitted Li Yishen, the leader of Zhejiang's ski jumping team.

Weng takes a photo before the race. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

In the competition, Zhejiang's delegation sent a total of 15 athletes to participate in ski jumping. They will compete in various events, such as the youth mixed team, individual standard hill (open group), individual large hill, mixed team, and men's team events, in the upcoming days. The competition will run until Feb 4, with a total of nine gold medals up for grabs.

The 14th National Winter Games is the largest, most professional, and highest-level comprehensive winter sporting event held domestically since the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Ski jumping, known as the "game of the brave", is highly entertaining and features athletes accelerating down steep slopes, taking off, and soaring through the mountainous landscape with a drop of over 100 meters.