Worlds junior runner-up Jin wins figure skating gold, Qiqihar takes men's ice hockey title at National Winter Games

Source:Xinhua Published: 2016-1-30 14:46:18

World junior silver medalist Jin Boyang lit up the figure skating competition at the National Winter Games here on Friday when he landed four quadruple jumps to claim the men's title with 196.62 points.

Jin, who already had a clear lead after the short program, finished well clear of Yan Han on 178.90 points. Song Nan took bronze with 146.75 points.

Performing four quadruple jumps, the 18-year-old Jin finished his free skate routine to the music "Dragon Racing" that drew waves of applause from the stands.

"This is my best free skate performance so far in this season," said Jin, the first ever skater to have landed four quad jumps in a free skate and six quads in a competition.

Jin has set his eyes on the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018. "My goal is to become China's first male figure skater who makes it to the podium."

Li Zijun, the bronze medalist at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics, posted a winning total of 121.56 points to retain the ladies title. Zhao Ziquan won the silver, while Liang Yi grabbed a rare bronze medal for Hong Kong.

Partnering with Han Cong, world silver medalist Sui Wenjing overcame foot injuries to win the pairs gold medal with 236.56 points, their highest score for this season.

"Sui has been plagued for months by ligament injuries in her feet," said Sui's coach, Zhao Hongbo. "She may need to undergo a surgery."

In ice hockey, Qiqihar men's team pulled off an upset when they beat five-time champions Harbin 3-1 to clinch their first title since 2003. Chengde defeated Jiamusi 4-1 in the bronze medal match.

Harbin underlined its superiority in curling, beating hosts Urumqi 5-2 in the men's final and Qiqihar in the women's final.

The 13th National Winter Games will close after the final three gold medals are decided on Sunday. For the first time since the winter sports gala was introduced in 1959 the games have been held outside the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin, where the fragid climate means winter sports have traditionally enjoyed popularity.

Posted in: Winter Sport

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