Deng Yawen (Chinese: 邓雅文; pinyin: Dèng Yǎwén, born 17 October 2005) is a Chinese freestyle BMX cyclist and Olympic champion. She won the gold medal in the women's BMX freestyle event at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Deng Yawen
Deng Yawen in 2024
Personal information
Full nameDeng Yawen
Born (2005-10-17) 17 October 2005 (age 18)
Luzhou, Sichuan, China
Sport
Country China
SportFreestyle BMX
Coached byDaniel Dhers
Medal record
Women's BMX
Representing  China
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris BMX freestyle

Career

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At eight years old, Deng joined the Luzhou Amateur Athletic School's track and field team, where she participated in javelin. She began BMX freestyle in 2017, at age 12.[1]

She finished second at the 2021 Chinese National Games and third at the 2022 Chinese Championships. In 2023, she made her international debut and won a gold medal at the Asian Championships and finished sixth at the 2023 UCI BMX Freestyle World Championships.[2] In October 2023, she won the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup in Bazhong ahead of world champion Hannah Roberts.[3] She is coached by Daniel Dhers.[4]

In early 2024, she was selected to compete at the 2024 Olympic Qualifier Series.[5] During the first leg of the qualifier series in Shanghai, she finished in third place with a score of 91.50.[6] During the second leg of the qualifier series in Budapest, she finished in fourth place with a score of 90.96.[7] As a result, she qualified to represent China at the 2024 Summer Olympics.[8] In the women's BMX freestyle event, she won a gold medal with a score of 92.60, ahead of American Perris Benegas and Australian Natalya Diehm.[9][10]

References

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  1. ^ Zhiwen, Shen (18 June 2024). "Chinese BMX Freestyle rider Deng Yawen: Positive competition aids mutual progress". olympics.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Deng Yawen". olympics.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  3. ^ "2023 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup: Hannah Roberts and Logan Martin claim the overall titles". uci.org. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  4. ^ Binner, Andrew (18 May 2024). "Olympic silver medallist Daniel Dhers: "Coaching the Chinese women's team motivates me too"". olympics.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  5. ^ Binner, Andrew (28 February 2024). "Here are the athletes that will compete in BMX freestyle at the Olympic Qualifier Series". olympics.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  6. ^ Binner, Andrew (18 May 2024). "Near-perfect Sun Sibei wins women's BMX Freestyle Park at OQS Shanghai". olympics.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  7. ^ Smirnova, Lena (22 June 2024). "OQS winner Hannah Roberts sets sights on new matching tattoo of Parisian landmark, but still looking for Olympic ring sunglasses". Olympics.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  8. ^ De Clercq, Geert (29 July 2024). "Olympics-China targets BMX Freestyle for women's medals". srnnews.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  9. ^ "BMX-China's Deng takes gold in women's freestyle". Reuters. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Deng Yawen of China wins freestyle BMX gold, 5-time world champ Hannah Roberts of US crashes out". Associated Press. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
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