Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 18 Close-up: Peng Cheng's "Rain Over Sunny"
Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhu Hong, Wang Chunyan, Le Wenwan
When the music ended, Chinese figure skater Peng Cheng looked at his partner Jin Yang, his face was radiant, and his smile was extremely sweet, as if the lights of the arena were soaked with honey at that moment.
Peng Cheng smiled and jumped a few times, like a child who got a beloved toy, with his arms outstretched, wrapped around the neck of his partner Jin Yang, and sent a happy hug. The audience erupted in applause and cheers.
On the evening of the 18th, Peng Cheng/Jin Yang scored 76.10 points with a wonderful performance in the winter Olympic figure skating pair skating short program competition, ranking fifth in the short program, and successfully advanced to the 19th free skating competition.
China's Peng Cheng (left) / Jin Yang competes in the figure skating pair skating short program at the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 18. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xiong Qi
Who could have imagined that the one who laid the stage for Peng Cheng's sweet smile at night was actually a big cry in the afternoon. When Peng Cheng revealed this "little secret" in the mixed picking area after the game, the reporters were very surprised: if there are pear blossoms and rain in the afternoon, how can they be as beautiful as peach blossoms at night?
"I've actually been in a very nervous, anxious state this afternoon, and the reason for this is because I'm looking forward to today's performance." Peng Cheng said, "We are very stressed, everyone's emotions are very brittle that kind of feeling, that is, maybe a small inadvertent dot will make people cry." ”
"This afternoon I actually cried all afternoon because I was very anxious. Then I kept talking to my good friends and family members around me, saying that I was really stressed. Peng Cheng recalled the afternoon scene, although the emotions had come out, but the heaviness of the time could still be heard in the tone.
Jin Yang on the side stretched out his right hand, wrapped his arms around Peng Cheng's right shoulder, and gently patted it a few times, which was not only the comfort of the eldest brother, but also the encouragement of his partner, and his eyes were full of pain.
At the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics four years ago, Peng Cheng and Jin Yang had just "held hands" for the second season. The silver medalist of the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games only ranked 17th in the short program due to Peng Cheng's mistakes, and did not have the opportunity to skate freely. After the game, Peng Cheng was in tears and could not cry.
China's Jin Yang (right) comforts partner Peng Cheng after a figure skating pairs short program at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics on February 14, 2018. Photo by Ju Huanzong, Xinhua News Agency
Shed tears of sadness, regroup and set off again. From the Pyeongchang folding to the Grand Prix standing on the podium, Peng Cheng/Jin Yang took less than a year. Entering the Beijing Winter Olympics cycle, the run-in between the two is getting better and better, whether it is technical difficulty or performance, it is constantly improving. Standing on the stage of the Winter Olympics again, they have to defeat not only themselves, but also the "heart demons" of four years ago.
Therefore, Peng Cheng's pressure and tears are not unfounded, but fortunately, the "rain" is sunny, and Peng Cheng, who stands on the field at night, is like a willow eyebrow.
Jin Yang said: "We have found a good state of play today, and I hope to continue this feeling tomorrow and use it in our free skating. We will go and enjoy this game and enjoy every stage of the process. ”
China's Peng Cheng (left) /Jin Yang after a figure skating pair skating short program at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Feb. 18. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xiong Qi
After the rain is clear, the mountains are full of flowers, and the color practice is empty.