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Zhang Min Leads Inaugural Interpretive Skate at National Games
Veteran Zhang Min took the lead after the interpretive program competitions at the men's singles figure skating final of China's Ninth National Games Friday in Beijing.
Interpretive skate, new to short program and free skating, is introduced for the first time in the national competition to help Chinese skaters improving their elegance. It was judged by sliding skills and artistry.
With a slow-motion piano music, Zhang's stable gliding routine impressed the seven judges and received the highest marks, beating long-time rivals teammate Li Yunfei and Li Chengjiang of Jilin into second and third places, respectively.
Zhang, from Heilongjiang Province, north part of China, was satisfied with his performance and said it was the best he had ever practiced.
"I showed my peak form this afternoon and hopefully it would add weight on short and free program in the next two days," said the 25-year-old.
As usual, the free skate plays a vital part of the total scores with one point while performance program posed 0.6 and short program 0.4.
A total of 38 skaters from five provinces and cities of Beijing, Jilin, Helongjiang, Guangdong, Sichuan and Hong Kong, China, are competing the figure skating finals of the 9th National Games which will be declared open in November in Guangzhou.
The Nagano Winter Olympic Games bronze medalist Chen Lu will show up in the women's singles contest later in the evening.
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