Jia Zongyang claims China's fifth silver at PyechongChang Olympics

Jia Zongyang claimed China's fifth silver at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics in the freestyle skiing men's aerials at Phoenix Snow Park here on Sunday.

Jia nailed his last jump with a back full-full-double full that had a degree of difficulty of 4.525, producing a score of 128.05 points to take the silver.

Jia said: "For our team, I felt a little bit disappointed, especially for the hard work we have done during the past four years. For me, I did my best. I have to be satisfied with the result. The other competitors were also very strong."

Oleksandr Abrammenko took the gold with a score of 128.51 points to claim Ukraine's first medal at PyeongChang.

"I'm really happy about this, it's the first medal in freestyle skiing for Ukraine, so I'm just really happy. I don't believe right now that I've won gold," said Abrammenko competing in his fourth Olympics.

Russia's Ilia Burov got the bronze with 122.17.

Chinese female skiers failed to stand atop the podium as Zhang Xin also won the silver in women's aerials on Friday.

Hopes weighed on the shoulders of the three-men team of Qi Guangpu, Jia Zongyang and Liu Zhongqing, as fans back in China believed that they could be the "Zero Gold" breakers at PyeongChang Olympics.

Medalists from left Jia Zongyang, Oleksandr Abramenko and Ilia Burov at the venue victory ceremony after the men's freestyle skiing aerials final during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Phoenix Snow Park. [Photo: IC]

"I do not think much about the women's final. I have nothing to lose, so I will just relax in the final and enjoy my show in the Olympics," said Qi, who directly cruised into the final by taking the second place in the first-round qualification on Saturday.

In a freezing cold night with temperature of minus 6, 12 finalists began round one of the finals as the top nine advanced to the second round, and another cut to the top six produces the field for medals.

Qi earned 127.44 points in his first jump to take the first place, leading his team to enter the second round of the final as Jia and Liu was placed 8th and 9th respectively.

Jia Zongyang of China fails a jump during men's areials final of freestyle skiing at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games at Phoenix Snow Park, PyeongChang, South Korea, Feb. 18, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

Jia rebounded in his second jump with a back full-double full-full that had a degree of difficulty of 4.425, scoring 128.76 to book a berth for the medals, while Qi and Liu were both eliminated from the last six due to unstable landings.

"I really want that gold, but unfortunately, what I did tonight was not good enough. I need to consult with my team and coach when I come back to China and get ready for the next Olympics," added Jia, who set his eyes on the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

When Jia's score was posted, Abramenko celebrated his victory with waving his national flag in front of the cheering audience after winning the third Winter Olympic gold for Ukrine.

"It's really unbelievable. I hoped to today take a medal, but I won gold," added Abrammenko.

The other gold medals won by the Ukraine at the Winter Games came in 1994 when Oksana Baiul captured the title in women's figure skating and in 2014 when the women's biathlon team earned the top spot.

China has claimed four Olympic medals in this event, as Han Xiaopeng made history at 2006 Turin Olympics by winning the gold medal, China's first Olympic gold in skiing events as well as the country's first Winter Olympic title claimed by male athletes.