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China dominates pairs, S. Korea wins women's figure skating

Xinhua, February 25, 2017 Adjust font size:

China dominated the pairs competition at the eighth Asian Winter Games with a 1-2 finish, while South Korea Choi Dabin claimed the women's figure skating gold here on Saturday.

Yu Xiaoyu and Zhang Hao, who just paired up nine months ago, delivered a stellar free skate performance, picking up a season best 145.98 points for a winning total of 223.88.

Another Chinese pair Peng Cheng/Jin Yang took the silver with 197.06, while DPR Korea's Ryom Tae Ok/Kim Ju Sik came third in 177.40.

Danced to "Cavatina", Yu and Zhang nailed the triple twist, the triple toeloop and double toeloop, the double Axel and the throw triple loop and salchow. Their jumps were neat and their sequences were smooth.

"I want to prove myself today, because I made several minor errors in the free skate during the Four Continents Championships. At that time I thought too much, so today I wanted to skate a smooth performance," said Yu, 21, who ranked second in short program with Zhang at the Four Continents Championships but slipped to the fourth after their free skate last week.

"I gave all myself in the free skate," she added. "Physically we are very tired but we made it today, and we didn't have big mistakes. I want to applaud for myself."

Zhang was dripping with sweat. "The program is exhausting," said the 33-year-old. "We didn't feel good this morning in training, but we adjust ourselves soon. Before our free skate, when I held her hands, I knew both of us have faith to win."

In the women's free skate, the 17-year-old Choi, who made her senior Grand Prix debut at 2016 Skate Canada and placed 7th, delivered a flawless dance and earned 126.24, winning the title with a total of 187.54 after leading the short program on Thursday.

China's Li Zijun took the silver in 175.60. Li ranked fourth in short program but a smooth free skate made her move up to second.

"I had expected a higher point," Li said.

Kazakhstan's Elizabet Tursynbaeva came third in 175.04.

Japan's Rika Hongo, a two-time Four Continents bronze medalist, struggled with her jumps and dropped to fourth from second after the free skate, scoring 161.37.

The men's free skate will be held on Sunday, which is the last event of figure skating at the Asiad. Endit