The last Dutch boy to participate in a Junior Grand Prix before Leon Lo was Didier Dijkstra, who competed in the JGP Baltic Cup in 2019. Lo himself is hardly preoccupied with the fact that, seven years later, he stood on this international stage as a thirteen-year-old boy. He is primarily doing what he loves most: figure skating.
Leon doesn't talk much; he prefers skating. Via a video connection, we see his enthusiastic expression, and he nods in agreement when his coach, Astrid Winkelman, humorously acts as his spokesperson. Meanwhile, Lo's mother ensures that her son's connection remains stable.
Last week, Lo immediately delivered a strong, flawless short program in Riga. With 59.93 points, he posted the eleventh-place score. “His short program was superb. We never expected this,” said Winkelman. The program, choreographed by Thomas Kennes, is a subdued tribute to his coaching team. The title * A Hero In The Darkness* contains subtle personal references to the people who have guided him over the past few years.
What made the Junior Grand Prix extra special for Lo was the field of competitors. In the Netherlands, he is currently the only boy at his level, and last season he was the only one in his category during competitions. To challenge him sufficiently nonetheless, his coach sometimes deliberately had him perform more difficult elements.
Internationally, Lo had already encountered boys quite often, but the age differences were sometimes significant. “For example, as a thirteen-year-old, he would be standing among nineteen-year-old figure skaters,” says Winkelman. “Now he skates in the junior category and can skate against a lot of boys at the same time. That is what he enjoys most.”
The fact that Lo was among the youngest participants in Riga changed little about the approach. The Junior Grand Prix is primarily the next step in a longer trajectory. “This is just the beginning,” emphasizes Winkelman. “We have been working on his long-term development for six years already. It is nice that he was here, but he still has a long way to go.”
Lo grew up near the ice rink in Amsterdam and started taking skating lessons there as a young boy. Gradually, he enjoyed it more and more. His coach describes him as eager to learn, diligent, and exceptionally driven. “He is always the first on the ice and is not easily satisfied. Sometimes Leon gets a little too fixated on that, but he always keeps going.”
He works six days a week, both on and off the ice. Dance, ballet, strength training, stretching , and specific exercises for rotations and jump technique are all already part of his program. The goal is not to add spectacular elements to his repertoire as quickly as possible. First, the foundation must be solid.
According to Winkelman, his technique is precisely one of Lo's greatest qualities. “He is a complete skater, with skating skill, beautiful jumps, and pirouettes.” He does not yet perform the triple axel in competitions. The thirteen-year-old, who is still growing rapidly, lacks the strength for that. His role model is 2022 Olympic champion Nathan Chen, known for his powerful jumps.
This season, however, the emphasis is not solely on more difficult jumps. Lo is explicitly working on his performance and stage presence. While his attention naturally gravitates strongly toward the technical elements, he must learn to engage the audience and the judges as well. “It’s figure skating, not ice hockey,” says Winkelman with a laugh. “It has to be beautiful too.”
And he succeeded in Riga. Lo also remained faultless in the free program. With a final total of 169.92 points and a twelfth place, he could head home feeling satisfied. Winkelman: “Whether he finishes first or eightieth, if he has skated well, he is happy. That is the case now.” Lo is competitive enough to look closely at his judges' scores, but for his coach, the overall picture and, above all, his development remain the guiding principles.
In his choice of music, Lo clearly has his own voice. Every year, he personally selects the songs he wants to ride. This season, his Chinese background is evident in this. The short program is entirely new, whereas his free program from last season was adapted and lengthened for the transition to the juniors.
After Riga, normal life awaited him immediately. On Monday after returning home, he simply had to go back to school. After that, his sights are set forward again, because dreams are definitely there: to one day ride among the real big names. Maybe even the Olympic Games, but first he needs to keep building. Step by step, element by element. For Leon Lo, Riga was just the beginning.
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This is his only/final ISU Junior season so good for him!
Foto: Jurij Kodrun / International Skating Union (Getty Images)
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”Funeral Blues” by Cédric Tourwww.uisuliit.ee
