Li Fanghui of China competes during the women's Freeski Halfpipe final match of the Freestyle Skiing event at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 8, 2025. Li Fanghui claimed China's first gold medal of the Games here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

China's Li Fanghui secured the host nation's first gold medal at the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, triumphing in the women's freeski halfpipe event at the Yabuli Ski Resort on Saturday.

The 21-year-old led the competition with an impressive score of 95.25 points. Zhang Kexin, also representing China, claimed the silver medal with 89.25, while South Korea's Jang Yu-jin took home the bronze with a score of 85.00.

"I was a substitute for Gu Ailing in this event and returned to China on Tuesday," Li said.

"Actually, before my final run today, I had no idea this could be the first gold medal for China at the Harbin Asian Winter Games," she added. "I felt very calm during the competition, but now I'm incredibly excited."

"This event is held in my hometown, so I didn't want to miss it. Although I'm still dealing with injuries and my knee still hurts, I pushed through and made it," said Zhang. 

Zhang Kexin of China competes during the women's Freeski Halfpipe final match of the Freestyle Skiing event at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)