Li Chengjiang Wins First Figure Skating Gold at National Games

Li Chengjiang Wins First Figure Skating Gold at National Games

---

Li Chengjiang from Jilin won a tough free skate and took the coveted men's figure skating gold at the Chinese Ninth National Games in Beijing on August 12.

Li, who touched the judges and audience with his Star War performance, collected a event-high 5.9 for artistry and 5.8 in technical merit, edging Heilongjiang's Li Yunfei to the second and Zhang Min the third in the free skate.

The seven-time national champion Li pumped fists to the air and cheered after he finished the routine. When he learned he earned his eighth national title he cried.

"It was very hard for me to win the unexpected tense event and beat my long-time rivals today. All my efforts were paid off and all my injuries were paid off," Li said while wiped up his tears.

Li Yunfei, surged from an early fall in his quadruple-t riple combination, completed his routine with a big ovation from the audience. He received a range of 5.5 to 5.8 for the technical part and 5.4 to 5.7 for his artistry.

Li won a bronze medal after finishing the third place twice in the interpretive program and short program and second in free skate, while the pacesetter Zhang Min had to concede to a silver medal for the fall in his third quadruple jump attempt in the free skate.

Figure Skating is introduced to the National Games for the first time.

The women's title will be decided later in the afternoon with Chinese two-time Olympic bronze medalist Chen Lu leading into the free skate.