Photo: Lu Wenao/GT

With just a week to go before the inauguration of the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at the National Indoor Stadium, leading Chinese figure skating stars outlined ambitious expectations for the premier event at a press conference on Thursday.

The event will run from January 21 to 25, bringing over 100 elite skaters from 17 countries and regions across the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania to contest four disciplines: men's singles, women's singles, pair skating and ice dance.

Ren Hongguo, chairman of the Chinese Figure Skating Association, emphasized both the event's historical significance and its competitive value. 

"This edition marks the second time Beijing has hosted the Four Continents Championships following 2003," Ren told reporters. 

"For many athletes, especially those headed to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, the championship is far more than a title hunt but a crucial pre-Olympic proving ground."

China will field a strong home team across all four disciplines. Leading the charge in the men's events is Jin Boyang, a three-time Four Continents medalist and senior national favorite. 

"I am very excited and eager to skate here in Beijing again," Jin told reporters, recalling his first impressions of the venue which acted for an Olympic qualifying event in 2025. "I hope everyone could have solid performances and have some memorable experiences this time."

In the women's singles, 18-year-old Zhang Ruiyang, who returns to the Four Continents stage for the first time since advancing to the senior ranks, said her previous experience at the arena fuels her confidence. 

"This is my first senior Four Continents, and I'm thrilled to come back here. I hope to deliver more complete programs than last time," Zhang said.

Ren also highlighted China's pair and ice dance teams, pointing to the presence of established competitors and rising talents. 

Among them, accomplished ice dancers Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu and pairs Olympic champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong are expected to showcase their skills ahead of the Olympics.

The event will open with the women's short programs on January 22, followed by continued competitions through January 25, culminating in the men's free skate and a gala exhibition. 

The organizing committee has also been working with partners to expand interactive experiences for spectators, including themed fan zones, social media engagement, and cultural displays that coincide with China's traditional Spring Festival period.

Beyond China's home contenders, a constellation of international figure skating stars is set to take the stage at the National Indoor Stadium. 

South Korea's leading skater Cha Jun-hwan, a multiple Four Continents medalist and one of Asia's top men's singles competitors, will be among the marquee names chasing podium honors. 

Japan will be well represented across disciplines, with women's singles contenders Mone Chiba and Ami Nakai, as well as ice dance duo Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita, bringing their Olympic-caliber skills to Beijing. 

From North America and beyond, Mexico's Donovan Carrillo, a seasoned international competitor, and the Australian ice dance team Holly Harris and Jason Chan are among the non-Chinese athletes expected to contest fiercely across their events. 

Although some high-profile skaters like Canada's Gabrielle Daleman, who competed at the Winter Olympics in 2018, and US pair Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov are not headed to the Winter Games this season, they will also take this championship stage to showcase elite programs against the world's best.

The National Indoor Stadium, an Olympic legacy event after the 2008 Summer and 2022 Winter Olympics, has been lauded for its world-class facilities, making it an ideal host for elite competitions and further advancing Beijing's post-Olympic utilization of venues.

Tickets for the event, offered in multiple price tiers and family packages, have been on sale since January 7. 

Organizers say the championships not only highlight technical excellence and artistic expression on ice, but also aim to ignite broader public enthusiasm for ice sports ahead of the Winter Olympics.