Jinan skateboarder fights back for Asian Games bronze

A trick Cui Chenxi had yet to land in training turned her Asian Games final around.

The Jinan skateboarder was sitting fourth after several falls in the women's street final at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan on Sept 27. With one last chance to move up the standings, she landed the difficult trick to score 85.66 points, lifting her total to 156.60 and securing the bronze medal.

The final tested both precision and composure. Street skateboarding leaves little room for error, and Cui struggled to find her rhythm early on. Watching her rivals complete their routines also added to the pressure.

"It was the most nerve-racking competition I have ever taken part in," Cui said after the final.

Cui rose to prominence at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023. At 13, she won gold in the women's street event, becoming the youngest Asian Games gold medalist in China's history. She finished fourth at the 2024 Paris Olympics Games and won gold at the 15th National Games in 2025, claiming Shandong's first national title in skateboarding.

Cui Chenxi executes a trick during the women's street final at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan on Sept 27. [Photo/VCG]