LIVIGNO, Italy — China's Wang Xindi soared to Olympic gold in men's freestyle skiing aerials on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at the Milano Cortina Winter Games, delivering a near-flawless jump to deny Switzerland's reigning world champion Noé Roth by a razor-thin 1.02 points in a high-stakes super final.

Wang, competing in his third Olympics, posted 132.60 points on his decisive jump — a complex five-twist maneuver executed with precision and a composed landing — to claim his first Olympic medal. Roth followed immediately with 131.58, securing silver but falling just short in a tense showdown that featured four Chinese and two Swiss athletes in the final six.

China's Li Tianma rounded out the podium with bronze, strengthening the nation's dominance in aerials. Defending Olympic champion Qi Guangpu of China placed sixth after struggling in the super final.

The victory carried extra significance for Wang, whose wife Xu Mengtao had won gold in the women's aerials two days earlier on Feb. 18. The couple became one of the rare married pairs to each claim individual Olympic gold in the same Games — and in the same discipline — adding a heartwarming family narrative to China's strong showing in freestyle skiing.

Wang dropped to his knees in the snow upon seeing his score, roaring in celebration as the realization hit. "Believe in the power of belief," he said post-event, crediting mutual support with Xu through years of training and competition. Xu watched from the stands, later joining him in what fans called a "beautiful reward" for their shared journey.

The men's aerials final unfolded at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park under clear conditions. After qualification rounds narrowed the field, the super final boiled down to one jump per skier. Wang's routine showcased the technical mastery that has defined China's aerials program, which has produced multiple Olympic golds since the event's inclusion.

Roth, the 2025 world champion, delivered a strong effort but couldn't overtake Wang's mark. His silver marked Switzerland's continued competitiveness in freestyle skiing, contributing to the nation's strong medal haul at these Games.

Li's bronze further highlighted China's depth, with the team occupying four of the top six spots in the super final. The result extends China's aerials legacy, building on Beijing 2022 successes where the nation claimed both men's and women's titles plus a mixed team silver.

The competition drew praise for its intensity and athleticism. Commentators noted the high difficulty levels — many jumps featured multiple flips and twists — and the pressure of a single-jump format in the final. Wang's composure under Olympic lights proved decisive.

This gold lifts China's medal tally and reinforces its status as the aerials powerhouse. For Wang, 30, it caps a career arc from solid international results to Olympic champion, following earlier finishes like 14th in Beijing 2022 and PyeongChang 2018.

Roth's silver adds to Switzerland's impressive 2026 performance, marking one of the country's most successful Winter Games ever. The Swiss team has secured multiple medals across disciplines, with aerials remaining a strength.

As the Milano Cortina Games near their conclusion, Friday's aerials final delivered drama and inspiration. Wang's triumph — and the couple's shared success — stands as one of the memorable stories of these Olympics, blending elite performance with personal milestone.

Fans worldwide celebrated online, with clips of Wang's winning jump circulating widely. The moment underscored freestyle skiing's blend of acrobatics, precision and human emotion on the Olympic stage.

© International Business Times