Teenager skater Yan Han wins Grand Prix
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E-mail Xinhua, November 2, 2013
The other two Chinese skaters Song Nan and Wang Yi, however, ended in bottom two with 196.80 and 185.22 respectively, out of nine male skaters featured in the event.
China's previous impressive GP results in the drought field of their figure skating were recorded by now-retired Li Chengjiang at the 2004 Cup of China and Song Nan in France two years ago, both as runners-up.
"Winning a GP is definitely a boost for me when heading to the Sochi 2014, mostly mentally," Yan said.
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China's teenage skater Yan Han put a perfect end to his first senior ISU Grand Prix by becoming the first ever Chinese male skater to win a GP in Beijing on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua] |
The home fans' favorites Pang Qing and Tong Jian failed to guard their lead taken from the short program, finishing second to established German duo Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy with a tiny margin of 6.83 points. Another Chinese Peng Cheng/Zhang Hao and Wang Xuehan/Wang Lei were the third and fourth finishing pairs.
"Free skate could be harsh and it's proved so," Tong said. " I just knew it since my physical conditions, especially the injuries, has been pulling me backward. We've done every thing we can."
Anna Pogorilaya came from behind to win the women's singles with 178.62 points, edging fellow Russia Adelina Sotnikova to the second place on 174.70. Carolina Kostner of Italy, runner-up in 2012 World Championships, settled for the third with 173.40.
China's Zhang Kexin, Guo Xiaowen and highly-expected Li Zijun finished on the bottom.
On ice dance part, French pair Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat made a perfect comeback to defend their Cup of China title on 165.68, beating Russia's Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev, bronze medalists of 2012 World Championships, while American pair Madison Chock/Evan Bates to the second and third.
