Three hopefuls sent to US in bid to snap title drought
Bidding to end a decade-long major title drought in the arena of China's women's figure skating, three local teenagers are now training in the US with the coach of retired world champion Chen Lu to try and replicate some of her record-breaking success.
Geng Bingwa, 14, Zhang Kexin, 12 and Li Zijun, 11, were selected by star coach Li Mingzhu to train under her at Eastwest Ice Palace last month. They now carry the burden of rejuvenating China's chances at the top end of the sport.
The competitiveness of Chinese skaters in the women's single category has dipped in recent years and "there are few skaters of a suitable age to make a dent at the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Games, so we have selected younger ones who can produce good results at the 2014 Games," said Yang Dong, director of the Figure Skating Department at China's Winter Sports Administrative Center.
