Drama on ice: Jin Boyang competes during Day 3 of the 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Massachusetts, USA. (Photo : Getty Images)
A teenager serves as a new inspiration for local figure skaters.
Jin Boyang secured the bronze medal at the 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships on April 1 in the U.S., reported Reuters.
The 18-year-old “jumping phenom,” as called by Daily Mail, earned a total score of 270.99.
Chinese pair skater Tong Jian said that Jin was a “genius” and the “hope” of men’s figure skating in the country, according to Xinhua.
Tong and partner Pang Qing were the 2006 and 2010 World Champion.
With a tallied score of 314.93, Javier Fernandez retained the championship title he defended.
“It was a hard time sometimes after a bad practice. When I got to Boston, those doubts went away. I just thought, ‘Whatever happens, happens,’” said the 24-year-old contender from Spain, according to The Examiner.
Yuzuru Hanyu, the 21-year-old 2014 Winter Olympic and 2014 World Champion from Japan, received 295.17 and the silver medal.
“To skate a good program, I need to balance my body and my mental (approach) and I was probably not able to do that too well today,” said Yuzuru, according to Daily Mail.
Still, the three-time Grand Prix Final champion felt good for his Spanish opponent. He said, “I’m really happy for Javi’s program.”
Javier and Yuzuru train under the same coach, the 54-year-old retired Canadian skater Brian Orser.
Eleven other figure skaters joined Jin in representing the country.
Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, Wang Xuehan and Wang Lei, and Peng Cheng and Zhang Hao competed in pair skating; Li Zijun and Zhao Ziquan in the ladies’ singles; Yan Han in the men’s singles; and Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu in ice dancing.
“We hope we can prepare well for Boston,” said Han during the 2016 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships (Feb. 16-21) in Taipei, according to Golden Skate.
Sui and Han claimed the silver medal for China, same as in last year’s championship.
This year’s competition was held from March 28 to April 3 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
“The most important annual figure skating competition in the world,” the ISU World Figure Skating Championships traces its roots back in 1896, according to its website.
The city of Helsinki in Finland will host the next championship on March 29 to April 2, 2017.
