Beijing 2022 Luge wrap-up – top stories, moments and records

Luge at Beijing 2022 can be summed up best in one phrase: take a bow Germany! The sliding sports powerhouse sealed all four gold medals on offer.

Headlining the show was the GOAT Natalie Geisenberger, who won her third consecutive women’s singles title. The 34-year-old veteran made history as she became the first three-time women’s luge singles Olympic gold medallist ever.

Johannes Ludwig claimed a memorable first men’s singles Olympic gold at the age of 35. The Suhl native, who has never won a singles world title and has spent the large majority of his career in the shadow of compatriot Felix Loch, showed what can be achieved with persistence, dedication and consistency.

Meanwhile, dream team Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt timed their best form to perfection, landing their third consecutive doubles title. Some questioned whether the Bavarian legends would be able to hold off the challenge from compatriots and reigning world champions Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken. But after a thrilling duel on the brand-new Yanqing course, ‘The Tobys’ finished first by 0.099s.

Given their individual brilliance, it came as no surprise that Geisenberger, Ludwig, and the Tobys combined to defend their mixed team title.

That Johannes Ludwig won gold was no huge surprise. The German had been in fine form this season, winning the overall World Cup title.

But there was a serious feel-good feeling about this victory, as it was just reward for an athlete that has poured his heart and soul into luge since he started competing back in 1996. There have been many ups and downs along the way, including missing out on selection for two Olympic Games and so many fourth-place finishes at world championships.

The fact that he finally won singles gold