In a stunning comeback performance, Xu Lu from the Chinese mainland soared to gold in the women's wakeboard freestyle final at the World Games in Chengdu.
The Sichuan native first made her mark on international waters when she qualified for the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, only to face a heartbreaking withdrawal due to injury. Undeterred, Xu clinched her spot again for the Chengdu edition.
Her week began with a show-stopping moment: she and fellow Chinese mainland rider Alu Xiaobo took to the water in a motorboat-driven showcase before Xu lit the spout-shaped cauldron with stunt-like moves at the opening ceremony last Thursday.
On competition day, Xu delivered her signature aerial tricks with pinpoint precision, outpacing Italy's Alice Virag and Argentina's Eugenia De Armas to capture the top podium spot.
Xu Lu's journey from injury to world champion highlights both her resilience and the growing global momentum behind wakeboarding.
Reference(s):
World Games final torchbearer Xu wins women's wakeboard gold
cgtn.com
