BEIJING: China’s US-born determine skater Zhu Yi got here again with a smile on Tuesday after her earlier flop on the Olympic ice, incomes rousing applause from the hometown crowd at the Beijing Games, regardless that she was unlikely to qualify for the free skate.
Skating to The Rolling Stones’ Paint It Black, the identical routine she tumbled in throughout final week’s crew occasion, Zhu botched her touchdown in her opening triple flip-triple toeloop leap on Feb 15 however at least she didn’t fall, and later accomplished a triple loop effectively, incomes 53.44.
“I guess it was a little bit of a redemption,” Zhu mentioned after the skate. “I think I skated much better than the team event. I feel more at ease and try to enjoy the game, that’s why I smiled.”
After her error-filled efficiency knocked China to fifth place from third in the Beijing Games’ crew occasion, Zhu turned the goal of on-line criticism about her efficiency, in addition to for being chosen over one other Chinese skater.
“The first couple of days were really hard for me, but after that, I was able to recover and just do better,” she mentioned.
“And even though there were some mistakes, I’m still happy with how it went for my first Olympic experience.
“I also reminded myself that the fact that I’m here right now, it’s already once in a lifetime experience, I need to experience it as much as I can,” she mentioned.
Chinese spectators at the Capital Indoor Stadium cheered and applauded after she managed to remain standing following her opening mixture leap, a transfer that despatched her crashing into the wall final week. “It’s just very comforting and it’s like a big hug and I’m very grateful for them,” Zhu mentioned.
Chinese social media Weibo appeared to have responded to her newest efficiency with extra sympathy than final time.
“It’s amazing how she overcome all the mental pressure. Don’t lose faith in yourself over one Olympics!”
Others have been much less charitable:
“Well, at least she didn’t cry this time. Let’s be honest this is about China’s level in women figure skating these days,” one person wrote. – Reuters
