Gold medalist Bayani Jialin (C) of China, silver medalist Dinige'er Yilamujiang (L) of China and bronze medalist Chi Chunxue of China pose during the victory ceremony after the Cross-Country Skiing Women's 5km Free match at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

HARBIN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Bayani Jialin pocketed the Women's 5km Free gold medal in Cross-Country Skiing, leading China to a sweep of the top four in the event at the Harbin Asian Winter Games on Sunday.

Thirty-three skiers began the race in succession with a 30-second interval. Bayani, the 9th to start, crossed the line first in 12 minutes and 7.5 seconds to secure her first-ever Asian Winter Games gold.

"I'mveryhappytofinishfirst,"saidthe25-year-oldfromnorthwesternChina'sXinjiangUygurAutonomousRegion."Igaveitmyallthroughouttherace,andnowI'mexcitedtofocusonpreparingfortherelayrace."

Dinige'er Yilamujiang, also from Xinjiang, was just 3.6 seconds behind Bayani to take the silver, adding to her bronze from the Cross-Country Skiing Women's Sprint Classic on Saturday. Chi Chunxue won the bronze, while Chen Lingshuang ranked fourth.

The Cross-Country Skiing Men's 10km Free will take place on Monday.

Gold medalist Bayani Jialin of China poses during the victory ceremony after the Cross-Country Skiing Women's 5km Free match at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Bronze medalist Chi Chunxue of China poses during the victory ceremony after the Cross-Country Skiing Women's 5km Free match at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Silver medalist Dinige'er Yilamujiang of China poses during the victory ceremony after the Cross-Country Skiing Women's 5km Free match at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Song)