Beijing, China, February 4, 2022: An inspirational performance by figure skating pair Sui Wenjing and Han Cong pushed China into the medal positions on the first day of the three-day team event at Capital Indoor Stadium on Friday.
The PyeongChang 2018 silver medallists and two-time world champions scored a season’s best 82.83 points in the pairs short programme to claim a maximum 10 points for China ahead of eight other rivals.
This gave China a three-event tally of 21 points at the end of the first day’s action, trailing the United States on 28 points and the Russian Olympic Committee with 26.
The Chinese pair’s orchestral arrangement to Mission Impossible 2 was brilliant from the start and was much appreciated by a few hundred home fans allowed into the venue.
"We did our best and showcased our hard work - it's paid off," Sui said via an interpreter. "Hopefully in the individual event we can skate even better; our coach said we need to relax more."
Han added: "We consider this a gift to all of the Chinese people. This is our first home Olympics for us... we need to contribute our share so the team event."
Japan, who were led off in the men’s singles short programme by PyeongChang 2018 silver medallist Shoma Uno, finished the day in fourth place with 20 points.
Uno, the 2017 Asian Winter Games champion in Sapporo, scored a season’s best 105.46 to finish in second place behind three-time world champion Nathan Chen of the United States with a personal best 111.71.
The 10-team event will continue on Sunday with the women's short programme and men's free skate. Only five teams will advance to the free skating portion - with the ROC favoured to win the gold. The medals will be decided after the final three events on Monday.
