Sui Wenjing/Han Cong: We still have a lot of difficulty reserves

"It's a familiar taste, and this is where we've fought many times." As Han Cong spoke, Sui Wenjing, who was beside him, took a cooperative and fierce breath. In the renovation of the Capital Gymnasium, Han Cong said that it was both familiar and had a feeling that he wanted to keep moving forward and constantly challenging. The 2021 Asian Open Figure Skating Championships ended on October 15 at the Capital Gymnasium, with Sui Wenjing/Han Cong winning the championship with 223.48 points. This is the first match of the 2021-2022 season for the duo, and the final sprint to the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Chinese duo Sui Wenjing (left) / Han Cong in a pair skating short program competition on October 14. Photo by Ju Huanzong, Xinhua News Agency

For the short program competition of the previous day, Sui Wenjing/Han Cong both expressed satisfaction. "Playing very well, put into training is also a relatively good level, there should be some grading problems at present, we will study it again when we go back." Han Cong said. Due to the excitement of the first day of the game, the free skating competition on the second day made the two suffer somewhat. "Today was tight overall. Because yesterday was too excited, today's physical fitness has declined, and later we will better grasp the rhythm of the game and play better. "Sui Wenjing said in an interview after the game that because of some decline in physical strength, the whole free skating program did not play to the best level, although both of them had some small mistakes, but the action was basically completed." Figure skating is a very comprehensive project that requires physical and technical skills, as well as artistic expression. I firmly believe that we will continue to improve on the road to becoming artists. The humor displayed by Sui Wenjing not only answered the questions, but also made fun of the reporters and staff present.

The start of the 2021-2022 season means that the Beijing Winter Olympics are really coming. For participating in the Winter Olympics at home, Sui Wenjing/Han Cong's goal has never changed, "Our goal is always the same, that is, to raise the national flag and play the national anthem." "Next, they will travel to Europe to participate in the ITU Figure Skating Grand Prix. The two hope to show their best selves on every ice surface and every game, and hope that more people will go to the ice rink because of them.

The Asian Open Figure Skating Tournament is just the beginning of the season, the basis and test for them to familiarize themselves with the new program and adapt to the rhythm of the game. Han Cong said that in the future competition, we should increase the difficulty and increase the difficulty score in the technical aspects, "We have prepared for this before, but this competition is not used." Sui Wenjing added: "We need to be familiar with the program this time, I still have a lot of difficulty reserves, and I will put it in the back of the game." ”

This year, the figure skating team has a more comprehensive support team, and also allows athletes to get stronger psychological support. "We're much better at stress and mentality than in previous years." Sui Wenjing said, "We wear the national flag to shoulder the responsibility, we have to fight for the country, no matter in what state, even if it is like the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the day before I know that I broke my bones, the next day I still have to go to the Winter Olympics." ”

In April 2020, Han Cong underwent hip surgery, and the two have since missed several matches, including the China Cup Grand Prix. At the World Championships in March this year, the two won a silver medal on their comeback debut. Talking about injuries, Han Cong said, "We have always had a particularly good team to help us overcome and solve, and now everything is developing in a better direction." ”

The recovery from injury has given the two men greater confidence, and in the new Winter Olympic season the duo is looking forward to going further, "The quality of recent training and physical condition are improving a little bit within the controllable range." In terms of the overall training state, we are actually much better than the state of previous years. Especially just entering a new season, the quality of the action has taken a leap forward from previous years, but this is far from our goal and we expect to be able to get better. Sui Wenjing said.