China's rising sports stars set podiums on fire

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Cui Chenxi

Cui Chenxi competes in the final of the women's street skateboarding event during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cui Chenxi became China's youngest-ever Asian Games gold medalist after the spunky 13-year-old skateboarder won the women's street event at this year's Hangzhou Asian Games.

The teenager, who is the Chinese national team's youngest athlete, clinched gold by scoring 242.62 points.

The street competition involves skaters performing daring tricks on a tough course that features rails and gaps. Cui made an impressive landing off the notoriously difficult high rail - a move many of her competitors avoided.

Cui only took up skateboarding in 2020. Within a year, she was reaching podiums at professional-level events. Earlier this year, Cui secured the 30th spot in the women's street event at the World Street Skateboarding Championships held in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, and 17th at the 2023 Street Pro Tour's stop in Rome, Italy.