Chinese Skating News, Pt. 3: A long & winding road to Beijing 2022

[barbarafan]

Wow it seems like this is a very strange situation. After all, China doesn't use Ice Partner Search - they just pair people up. I wonder if she was hoping to form a team with someone from another country or something and China vetoed it? Or maybe China has already found another partner for her?

Not good...can someone confirm her immediate health and welfare. After watching Peng being used as a slingshot I am not at all convinced that a pair girl in China has a very good life expectancy.

 

[casken]

Quoting myself from the Pairs thread - looks like Yu / Zhang have split.

ETA: Her bio has been removed. Wonder what this means...

Well done to the Chinese fed for breaking up a team that clearly belonged together like Yu/Jin just to unnecessarily extend Zhang's career.

And now Jin is stuck doing intentional double salchows with Peng.

What a goddamn waste.

 

[cheremary]

Peng/Jin placed first and second at their GPs this fall and just came in second at the GPF. That seems like a pretty successful pairing to me.

 

[thvu]

And reports were that Jin wanted to split with Yu anyway.

 

[Dobre]

My mother suggests Novoselov.

 

[hanca]

My mother suggests Novoselov.

And Stolbova would skate with whom?

 

[Tinami Amori]

for what it's worth, this is what i found on few Chinese fan chats.
Zhang is injured. Yu wants to skate with hopes for Olympics'22. She asked the Chinese Federation if she can get a new partner. Feds gave her ok, and there was a discussion that "it's ok if the partner is a foreigner as long as he'll take citizenship". Yu was eager and posted her search on line. Feds told her not to, they will handle the search themselves. So it was removed.

 

[hanca]

for what it's worth, this is what i found on few Chinese fan chats.
Zhang is injured. Yu wants to skate with hopes for Olympics'22. She asked the Chinese Federation if she can get a new partner. Feds gave her ok, and there was a discussion that "it's ok if the partner is a foreigner as long as he'll take citizenship". Yu was eager and posted her search on line. Feds told her not to, they will handle the search themselves. So it was removed.

Country with so many potential male partners, and they will need to import? I struggle to understand that they can’t find decent pair partners, considering they have 700 million males.

 

[casken]

And reports were that Jin wanted to split with Yu anyway.

Which came after the multiple reports and bad press that they resisted splitting, so who is to say what is real and what is damage control.

 

[Tinami Amori]

A Chinese TV clip/video about regrouping the teams, not just these two, but also less visible juniors. Hongbo Zhao explaining the reasons and process. The video has segments about Sui/Han also.

https://www.bilibili.com/video/av9476229/?from=search&seid=12341261868973575905

Zhao explains that not only these two teams are regrouped, but several younger teams as well. It is common practice, especially in younger groups. With Seniors it is harder and more needs to be considered. It has nothing to do with athletes' individual issues/relationship but for a bigger picture of what works the best, gives best outcomes in major competitions/Olympics.

He says that for fans and non-professionals it is hard to understand, but the specialists watch the training, the specifics of each skater, have their methods of observation, and while it is a gamble to exchange partners in a pair, the technical considerations of professionals with more than 20 years of experience are reliable.

 

[jlai]

Which came after the multiple reports and bad press that they resisted splitting, so who is to say what is real and what is damage control.

No one knows for sure what is going on, but fans (esp non Chinese fans) were very very sure at the time. So I wouldn't place much stock into "what came first" and "what came after".

 

[Jeschke]

Y/Z‘s programs looked so promising from the clips!
I always had a soft spot for them (despite the way they were put together).

 

[Aerobicidal]

I can see Yu having a great future with Krasnopolski.

 

[Japanfan]

Zhao explains that not only these two teams are regrouped, but several younger teams as well. It is common practice, especially in younger groups. With Seniors it is harder and more needs to be considered. It has nothing to do with athletes' individual issues/relationship but for a bigger picture of what works the best, gives best outcomes in major competitions/Olympics.

He says that for fans and non-professionals it is hard to understand, but the specialists watch the training, the specifics of each skater, have their methods of observation, and while it is a gamble to exchange partners in a pair, the technical considerations of professionals with more than 20 years of experience are reliable.

Well, the Chinese system has worked in terms of producing champions and top contenders, as has the Russian system. The system is controlling (although the fed does pay for everything) and constricts athletes' independence to a certain degree (In the book 'The Second Mark', Xue Shen talked about being forced to eat in the coaches' dining room after gaining two pounds from drinking two diet cokes on one of the rare occasions when her parents came to visit her).

 

[Andora]

Y/Z‘s programs looked so promising from the clips!
I always had a soft spot for them (despite the way they were put together).

Agreed. I can't recall which commentator said it during the Olympics, but they noted Zhang looked incredibly improved skating with Yu, which I think is remarkable considering how long he's been around.

If she's allowed to consider an international partner, maybe it's a reflection of the Chinese federation recognizing her skills and timing required to compete in 2022. She needs someone already close to her level to succeed. Best of luck to her.

 

[Lizziebeth]

I can see Yu having a great future with Krasnopolski.

A future of less than a year, before he is on to the new model.

 

[hanca]

A future of less than a year, before he is on to the new model.

But she would get to Europeans (if she skates for Israel). She has never competed there.

 

[Karen-W]

But she would get to Europeans (if she skates for Israel). She has never competed there.

I'm sure Papa Boris would gladly accept whatever generous contribution to the Israeli fed's finances the Chinese fed offered for Krasnopolski, lol.

 

[Sylvia]

@Gris (or anyone else who knows/can find out)... I read online that the 14th Chinese National Winter Games (held last in 2016) is scheduled to be held in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, February 16-26, 2020. Is there information re. when the team will be selected/finalized on the fed. website? http://www.cfsa.com.cn/cfsa_portal/html/header.html
2020 4CC will be held Feb. 3-9 in Seoul, Korea.

 

[Gris]

@Gris (or anyone else who knows/can find out)... I read online that the 14th Chinese National Winter Games (held last in 2016) is scheduled to be held in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, February 16-26, 2020. Is there information re. when the team will be selected/finalized on the fed. website? http://www.cfsa.com.cn/cfsa_portal/html/header.html
2020 4CC will be held Feb. 3-9 in Seoul, Korea.

The list of qualifiers for National Winter Games has been published

http://www.cfsa.com.cn/cfsa_portal/html/new1.html?newsId=227603&newsTypeId=8 (in Chinese, will translate if needed)

And in the most recent announcement it says the deadline for entries is Jan 5.

 

[Taso]

The list of qualifiers for National Winter Games has been published

http://www.cfsa.com.cn/cfsa_portal/html/new1.html?newsId=227603&newsTypeId=8 (in Chinese, will translate if needed)

And in the most recent announcement it says the deadline for entries is Jan 5.

Please do if you don't mind

 

[Gris]

List of qualifiers for the National Winter Games in Feb 2020

(Links are to their ISU bios)

Sr Men (18): Boyang JIN, Han YAN, He ZHANG, Yi WANG, Tonghe TIAN, Qinglong RONG, Juwen XU, Luanfeng LI, Liqin YUAN, Runqi LIU, Bofeng WANG*, Hanyu ZHAO, Zhiming PENG, Chonghe MA, Pengrui LI, Jiaxing LI, Yunda LU, Shijie DIAO
*His given name can be 'Pofeng' since the character has 2 pronunciations. I'm not sure which one he uses...

Jr Men (18): Yudong CHEN, Mutong LIU, Dawei DAI, Zixu LI, Zhiyu WANG, Wenbao HAN, Zhihong LIU, Shuai FANG, Zhao TANG, Qihan ZHAO, Geruiqi MEI, Jingtong YANG, Xiangli ZHAO, Zhibo QU, Helin LIU, Zhongyi WANG, Guangye ZHAO, Fang-Yi LIN (competing for TPE on JGP)

Sr Ladies (18): Xiangyi AN, Hongyi CHEN, Yi Christy LEUNG (competing for HKG on GP), Shan (Ashley) LIN (last represented the U.S. at 2018 CS Alpen Trophy), Qijing CAO, Yi (Beverly) ZHU, Shuhui KANG, Xiangning LI, Guanru JIN, Jiaxin SHI, Chenchen SHA, Qingrun CHEN, Yuxuan DING, Minzhi JIN, Lu ZHENG, Wenwan SU, Megan WONG (listed in HKG national team), Meiran HOU

Jr Ladies (18): Yixuan ZHANG, Hengxin JIN, Xiaoyu XIA, Anqi (Angel) LI, Xuhan ZHOU, Wanyi SUN, Mingyuan WANG, Siyang ZHANG, Xinhui FENG, Adele Xiyi ZHENG, Chuyi WANG, Hiu Yau CHOW (competing for HKG on JGP), Wantong ZHAO, Tong MO, Ziye LI, Shubing WEI, Yixuan DING, Zuoying HE

Sr Pairs (8): Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN, Cheng PENG / Yang JIN, Feiyao TANG / Yongchao YANG, Jiaxi (Chelsea) LIU / Zhong XIE (she formerly skated with Brian Johnson for the U.S. ), Xiaoyu YU / Hao ZHANG, Xuehan WANG / Lei WANG, Lu ZHENG / Lei ZHU, Yuyao ZHANG / Yunzhi GUO

Jr Pairs (7): Huidi WANG / Ziqi JIA, Yuchen WANG / Yihang HUANG, Jiaen LI / Zijian WANG, Daizifei ZHU / Yuhang LIU, Motong LIU / Tianze WANG, Jiaxuan ZHANG / Zhiyu WANG, Yixi YANG / Shunyuyao DENG

Sr Dance (8): Shiyue WANG / Xinyu LIU, Hong CHEN / Zhuoming SUN, Wanqi NING / Chao WANG, Yuzhu GUO / Pengkun ZHAO, Shang SHI / Nan WU, Xuan CHEN / Kaige ZHAO, Tong LIU / Quanshuo GE, Xinyi YU / Tianyi LIU

Jr Dance (8): Xizi CHEN / Jianing XING, Yufei LIN / Zijian GAO, Xuantong LI / Xinkang WANG, Luchang CAO / Jianxu CHEN, Yiran ZUO / Bolin MENG, Xintong QU / Suyang LI, Tianni LIN / Yuelin LI, Yu LU / Chenhang ZHANG

 

[Taso]

Thank you Gris! I am glad to see that the Wangs are competing!

 

[Kateri]

And Xiangning Li is listed in singles!

 

[seabm7]

The list of qualifiers for National Winter Games has been published

http://www.cfsa.com.cn/cfsa_portal/html/new1.html?newsId=227603&newsTypeId=8 (in Chinese, will translate if needed)

And in the most recent announcement it says the deadline for entries is Jan 5.

According to a few Chinese words I can decipher, this document is effective between December 18 and 22, 2019. I guess we have to see what happens after January 5, 2020.

 

[Gris]

I guess we have to see what happens after January 5, 2020.

Yes, those on the list are the ones who have qualified rather than the final entry list, which will be out after Jan 5. For example, I'm not sure at all that Yu / Zhang will compete given the recent circumstance.

(During Dec 18-22 if anyone had questions regarding the ranking they could contact the Fed - that's what these 2 dates meant.)

 

[Tinami Amori]

Well, the Chinese system has worked in terms of producing champions and top contenders, as has the Russian system. The system is controlling (although the fed does pay for everything) and constricts athletes' independence to a certain degree (In the book 'The Second Mark', Xue Shen talked about being forced to eat in the coaches' dining room after gaining two pounds from drinking two diet cokes on one of the rare occasions when her parents came to visit her).

You know what it sounds like? like you are critiquing the "Chinese system" because it is not like "north American".. They "control" and we have "freedom"..... and our system is better, more humane..

Well, i have to object to this attitude. You're free to like your system, prefer it for yourself and your family.
But you have to understand that there are other people, yes other.... who do NOT like your system, and prefer their own. Or a more "controlling system" in sports in general.

Some people are very free in their minds, but they view "sports" as a profession. They come to sports for results - medals and wins, and they want to be managed and guided. As their own choice.

Even in China, participating in sports for some is a hobby, and for some is a goal, to win. They don't mind when coaches find them best partner to suite their size, forms, abilities and other elements.

Even outside of China there are athletes who search for rigid and controlled sports environment, and don't want "western style" coaching and approach. We have examples of non-Chinese and non-Russians going to China and Russia for "regimented style of training".

And most importantly..... it is NORMAL in ANY professional world for the managers to team-up 2 or more individuals who can get the job done the best as a tandem or a team.

Acrobats get teamed up based on their dispositions and abilities in Cirque du soleil, Ballet dancers get paired up based on their size, weight, repertoire and level of celebrity. Opera singers get paired up by repertoire based on voice abilities and genre. Same in films, theatre, and other forms of performance art - the director often picks the Leading Man and Lady.

And in other sports too.... bobsleigh, canoe rowing, any sports where there is a tandem.. It's normal in any profession.

Those who want to do a sport "with their favorite person" can do it recreationally...

 

[AxelAnnie]

T.A. - I think you are absolutely correct.

There are recreational skaters and professional skaters. Skaters who attain an elite level of their sport are skating for results. To achieve that goal, they seek a system of coaching that matches their temperament, strengths & weaknesses, way of learning, etc.

Of course the system is controlling. But that is not bad necessarily. "Control is a primary goal-oriented function of management in an organisation." Isn't that what you want from a coach?

How could one have a skating program that did not have rules and measures of success?

 

[Japanfan]

You know what it sounds like? like you are critiquing the "Chinese system" because it is not like "north American".. They "control" and we have "freedom"..... and our system is better, more humane..

Well, i have to object to this attitude. You're free to like your system, prefer it for yourself and your family.
But you have to understand that there are other people, yes other.... who do NOT like your system, and prefer their own. Or a more "controlling system" in sports in general.

I wasn't critiquing it. I said that it works. Olympic champions were Russian for about 40 years, although that streak arguably wasn't broken in 2002, when B/S were dual gold medalists. And it is China who has risen up as a powerhouse in pairs, using a similar system.

But yes, I do think athletes who are fully subsidized by the state do, or often do, have less freedom to a certain extent than athletes who largely pay their own way (recognizing that governments of such system do subsidize some skaters, such as the national team - top five - in Canada).

And I said nothing with regard to not understanding that other people prefer their own system. Not needing to have one's family struggle to pay for one's skating can be a very good thing!

I would think that in all professions and activities, there are people who prefer more guidance/control and others who don't prefer it.

Also, I think all skaters' freedom is limited somewhat. Western federations can certainly put pressure on skaters to be/skate a certain way and often have their favorites. For that reason I always find it a bit when skaters deliver exuberant performances to 'My Way'.

 

[hanca]

Also, I think all skaters' freedom is limited somewhat. Western federations can certainly put pressure on skaters to be/skate a certain way and often have their favorites. For that reason I always find it a bit when skaters deliver exuberant performances to 'My Way'.

I think we know relatively very little about the skaters, their lives, their challenges they have to overcome, so it is hard to know whether there is some hidden meaning behind the choice. That’s why I don’t think we have the right to criticise them for ‘being too young’ for this music, because ‘they don’t do things their way’.

For example, Miky Ando used this music after she returned to competition after having her baby. She was advised to abort because it would cost her her skating career, plus the stigma of an unmarried mother having a baby. She chose to have the baby and she managed to return to competitive skating. Ok, her return wasn’t as successful as she hoped, but she chose her path in life and did whatever she wanted to do.

Bazarova/Deputat used this music when skating together. Bazarova was not only split up from Larionov (against her wishes) but also dumped from Moser’s group. Moser even gave an interview where she spoke in pretty nasty way about Bazarova. The way she spoke, it sounded like Bazarova was finished. Then suddenly next season Bazarova was back in a new partnership with Deputat and coach Vasiliev, and at Russian nationals beating two Moser’s teams - Davankova/Enbert and Zabijako/Larionov. Even if long-term Moser’s newly created team Zabijako-Enbert was more successful and lasted longer, that season Bazarova proved her point that she can’t give a damn about Moser and she will manage even without her. (And she remained competitive longer than Larionov). She did it her way.

I have no idea what was the story behind Boikova/Kozlovski choosing the music, but I wouldn’t just assume that at their age there is nothing that they decided for themselves. We really don’t know what they are dealing with in their day-to-day lives. It is very presumptuous to dismiss them just because of their age. Life experiences happen at any age.