Chinese skaters shine with two gold medals at Universiade

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-23 16:00

HARBIN -- Olympic silver medalists Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China won the pairs' skating gold while Xu Ming took a "surprising" men's title at the Harbin Winter Universiade on Sunday.

China's Zhang Dan/Zhang Hao (top) compete during the pairs final of figure skating in the 24th World Winter Universiade at Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center Gym in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, February 22, 2009. [Xinhua]

The Zhangs turned in a flawed but spectacular free skate to post an overall total score of 195.32, nearly 50 points well ahead of closest Russian rivals Ksenia Ozerova and Alexander Enbert.

Another Chinese pair Dong Huibo/Wu Yiming collected an overall 143.63 to take bronze.

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24th Winter Universiade

It is the third consecutive victory for Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao in the biennial Universiade since 2005, also the first gold out of the figure skating competitions slated for Feb. 21-24.

"We are satisfied with our performance today although we had flaw in the salchow and landing. It is a great honor for us to claim the gold on home soil," said Zhang Dan.

"Every athlete has ups and downs. No one could always stay at his peak shape," said Zhang Hao, referring to the pair's setback at the Four Continents Championships earlier this month in Canada.

"We are very much inspired by the gold medal, which brings more confidence to us in preparing for the Olympics," he added.

China's Xu Ming competes during the men's individual finals of figure skating at the 24th World Winter Universiade in the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center Gym in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, February 22, 2009. [Xinhua]

In men's single, Xu staged a flawless skate to capture what he called a "surprising" gold medal, mounting from 6th place after previous day's short program to the top.

In front of home fans, Xu opened with a triple axel and triple toeloop to Warsaw Concerto, followed by triple lutz, triple salchow and double toeloop.

He led all the way to score an overall 179.96, knocking Russian Artern Borodulin at second with 179.37. French skater Alban Preaubert took bronze at 175.34 out of the 33 participants.

"I was too excited and surprised to take the gold. I have never thought about it before," said a smiling Xu after the race.

In the ice dance event, Israeli skaters Alexandra Zaretski and Roman Zaretski continued their dominance in the original dance section, paving the way for the gold ahead of Monday's final free dance.

Monday will see ladies' short program, free dance of ice dancing and the synchronized skating, which is for first time as a competition event at Universiade.

Altogether 204 participants from 26 countries compete in the figure skating competitions at the Harbin Universiade.

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