Yan Han and coach Jia Shuguang wave in the "kiss and cry" zone after his free skating program on Friday. [Lucy Nicholson / Reuters]

He was hailed as the leader of a new generation of Chinese men's singles skaters due to his impressive skating skills as Chinese male skaters were renowned for their jumping ability but came up short in the skating and artistic parts of the sport.

Yan attributes his success to his coach, Jia Shuguang.

"I think this largely comes from my coach. She placed great emphasis on skating skills when I was still a novice skater," Yan said. "I did much more skating and spin training than other kids. I didn't know why at that time. Some of the kids at my age were even attempting triple axels, but my coach made me do a lot of steps and spins. Now I really appreciate her work."

Yan also left a deep impression on champion Hanyu at an Asian boys' competition in which he was beaten by Yan.

Hanyu said he was impressed by Yan's skating and spinning at that time and expected to see him again in senior competitions.

"Yan is one of the most gifted among all the Chinese male skaters. He can deal with all the jumping skills and that enables him to make few mistakes," said his coach Jia.

"Yan is a quick learner and stood out from his peers in his early years. He has a lot of potential and we will help him to move forward step by step."

In March 2012, Yan was crowned world junior champion, the first Chinese male to win that title. He also won gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria, the same year.

The 2013 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Osaka, Japan, was Yan's first senior competition and he won bronze. That was also his first senior event against Hanyu, who won the silver behind Kevin Reynolds of Canada.

"Yan is stronger than before," Hanyu said after the Four Continents. "His skating has become more mature and he will be a strong opponent for me in the future."

In his first full senior season, Yan lifted the trophy at the Grand Prix China stop last November but ended up a disappointing sixth at the Grand Prix Finals in December.

However, a skating legend also saw his immense potential.

"Look at this skater who has incredible gifts with flow across the ice," said Canada's four-time world champion Kurt Browning after watching Yan compete at the 2013 Four Continents. "He does need to improve, but he is a rough diamond."

leilei@chinadaily.com.cn