Hoping to grab a piste of history

This season, 10 Chinese athletes have gained valuable international experience, competing in World Cups and the European Championship in Sweden and Norway, among others.

Many of these athletes, born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, are competing abroad for the first time, building their experience in preparation for the Asian Winter Games.

Jiang noted: "This season, our team combines veterans and younger athletes. The veterans bring a wealth of competition experience and stable shooting performance, while the younger athletes must learn from international competitions, reduce errors, and adjust to new and stricter regulations."

He also pointed out a standout performance from Meng Fanqi at a World Cup event in Finland, where she hit all four shooting targets in extreme wind conditions, ranking first out of more than 100 competitors in shooting accuracy. Additionally, 22-year-old Gu Cang secured World Cup qualification on his international debut.

According to Jiang, the national biathlon team was officially formed on July 10 last year.

Building on a foundation of scientific training and innovative development, the team has focused on enhancing both skiing speed and shooting accuracy, with personalized training plans tailored to each athlete's strengths.

Since the start of this season's international competitions, athletes have shown significant improvements in tactical execution and performance under pressure, demonstrating greater consistency in challenging weather conditions, Jiang said.

Biathlon has been a strong event for China at the Asian Winter Games, where the team has won a total of 15 golds, 19 silvers, and 16 bronzes — 50 medals in total. Jiang emphasized that the team will maintain its high morale and aim for even greater success at the upcoming Games in Harbin.

The cross-country skiing competition at the 9th Asian Winter Games will take place from Feb 8 to 12, with six gold medals up for grabs. China has previously won four golds, eight silvers, and 19 bronzes, totaling 31 medals in the history of cross-country skiing at the Games.