Shang Chunsong wins Beijing Parkour World Cup gold, overall title

Gold medalist Shang Chunsong (C) of China, silver medalist Nagai Nene (L) of Japan and bronze medalist Isa Smits of the Netherlands pose on the podium during the awarding ceremony of the women's freestyle competition at the Parkour World Cup Beijing 2026 at Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's Shang Chunsong won the women's freestyle gold medal at the 2026 Beijing Parkour World Cup on Sunday, securing the overall World Cup title in the season's final event.

The 30-year-old former artistic gymnast, who claimed bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics, added to a successful season that included freestyle gold medals at the World Games in Chengdu, the World Championships in Kitakyushu and the World Cup in Montpellier.

Shang entered the Beijing event ranked second in the overall World Cup standings, level on points with Japan's Nene Nagai and the Netherlands' Noa Man, who had won the women's speed title.

The overall World Cup title is awarded to the athlete with the highest points total after the season's events, with rankings determined by each competitor's two best results.

Man failed to qualify for the freestyle final after competing in three speed runs on Saturday, while Shang topped the women's freestyle qualification standings by more than six points.

In Sunday's final, Shang impressed the home crowd with a series of difficult tricks across bars and walls, earning 26.8 points to claim both the event gold and the overall title.

Her teammates rushed onto the course to celebrate, lifting her into the air after her victory was confirmed.

"I'm very proud to win this gold at home. It has a special meaning for me and my team," Shang said. "I could have done better on my landing, but I'll work on that later. Right now, I just want to celebrate with my friends."

Nagai finished second with 22.3 points, while the Netherlands' Isa Smits edged China's Zhou Jie by 0.1 points to take bronze.

In the men's speed competition, Montpellier World Cup winner Siebe Van de Spijker claimed gold in 22.46 seconds, also securing the overall World Cup speed title.

Ukraine's Bohdan Kolmakov took silver, while Italy's Luca Demarchi finished third.

The Beijing competition, held from October 30 to November 1, was the third and final stop of the 2026 Parkour World Cup series. ■

Nagai Nene of Japan competes during the women's freestyle competition at the Parkour World Cup Beijing 2026 at Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Gold medalist Shang Chunsong of China poses with her trophy during the awarding ceremony of the women's freestyle competition at the Parkour World Cup Beijing 2026 at Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Isa Smits of the Netherlands reacts during the women's freestyle competition at the Parkour World Cup Beijing 2026 at Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Shang Chunsong of China celebrates after the women's freestyle competition at the Parkour World Cup Beijing 2026 at Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Shang Chunsong of China competes during the women's freestyle competition at the Parkour World Cup Beijing 2026 at Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Isa Smits of the Netherlands competes during the women's freestyle competition at the Parkour World Cup Beijing 2026 at Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Nagai Nene of Japan celebrates after the women's freestyle competition at the Parkour World Cup Beijing 2026 at Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Shang Chunsong of China competes during the women's freestyle competition at the Parkour World Cup Beijing 2026 at Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)