HARBIN - As the night sky over Harbin glows with the lights of the Asian Winter Games opening ceremony, 20-year-old Liu Mengting will take center stage - not on the slopes where she usually soars, but at the helm of Team China, leading her fellow athletes into the spotlight as the host country's flagbearer.

For Liu, a rising star in freestyle skiing, the honor came as a surprise. "I never expected it," she said. "There are so many great athletes on this team and many are more experienced than me. But when I found it out, I was beyond excited - it's a recognition that means so much."

That recognition was well-earned. In January, she claimed her first FIS Freeski World Cup title in the women's big air event in Klagenfurt, Austria. "Winning that competition wasn't just personal - it was a testament to my team, my years of training and the journey that brought me here."

Her journey began a decade ago, when she switched to skiing from gymnastics and discovered a love for the sport that would shape her life.

As she prepares to compete in the Big Air and slopestyle events at the Asian Winter Games, she sees carrying the flag as more than just an honor - it is a responsibility.

"There is pressure, of course, but it's also a great motivation," Liu said. "I want to show people the charm of winter sports and inspire more people to try it themselves."

Liu has prepared for her maiden show at the Asian Winter Games for a long time. "I have competed in multiple events this season to get ready for this moment, and now I'm in good form. My goal is to perform at my best and, hopefully, I can stand on the podium for China," she noted.

Like many Chinese winter sports athletes, competing at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics was once a dream for Liu. However, with limited preparation time and a gap in skill level, she was not qualified. Still, the event became a source of inspiration.

"Watching my predecessors and seeing their dedication and success gave me a sense of purpose," Liu said. "And I hope I can carry on that spirit and continue to promote winter sports."

During her spare time, Liu always goes skiing in public ski resorts, enjoying the slopes alongside everyday skiers. "It's also a motivation to see that after the Beijing Winter Olympics, more and more people are hitting the snow, and their enthusiasm makes me so happy."

Beyond the Asian Winter Games, Liu has already set her sights on the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. "I have a goal in mind, and I'll keep moving forward step by step to achieve it," she said.

Tonight, as she strides into the stadium with China's flag, Liu will not just be leading a delegation - she will be carrying a dream, one that has just begun.