Chongqing - On the evening of September 23, the Hangzhou Asian Games kicked off with an unforgettable visual spectacle at the opening ceremony. The first performance of the artistic segment, titled "Ink into Poetry and Painting, stunned the audience. In the center of the stage, a dancer in a graceful green dress swiftly glided into the scene, trailing a long skirt. Surprisingly, the skirt, over 5 meters long, weighed more than 100 kilograms.
On September 23, in Hangzhou, at the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games, Li Qian performs in the program "Ink Into Poetry and Painting." (Photo/Qi Lansen)
The mesmerizing performance and the dancers' excellent rendition made the segment an instant hit. Li Qian, a Chongqing local who has danced her way onto the global stage, led the performance,
Li was born in Chongqing in 1985. As a lively and active child, she was enrolled in a children's dance training program at the Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe at eight, specializing in classical dance. She later pursued modern dance and gained admission to the Chongqing Academy of Arts.
Due to her outstanding appearance, excellent proportions, remarkable flexibility, and exceptional agility, Li quickly drew her teachers' attention.
"In my memory, Li Qian was tall, slender, and particularly diligent," shared one of her former teachers who taught her academic subjects. They saw great potential in Li Qian and believed she would shine in the dance world.
With her diligence, Li achieved numerous successes, including winning top honors like the "Peach and Plum Cup" in the Chinese dance community. She has also performed multiple times at prestigious events such as the China Central Television Spring Festival Gala and the Huabiao Awards. During the 2023 Spring Festival Gala, her leading dance performance titled "Splendid" showcased the beauty of the Han Dynasty brocade.
This isn't her first performance at a major sporting event. In 2004, at age 21, she participated in an 8-minute artistic performance during the closing ceremony of the 28th Athens Olympic Games, showcasing a vibrant dance with red silk while adorned in white attire.
"I've never worn such 'large' clothes; it was challenging," Li said after the opening ceremony. She explained that over the past two months, she rehearsed every day until the early morning hours, developing muscle memory for the dance movements and ultimately achieving a flawless presentation.
Li exudes grace and elegance through her dance on stage, but she is quiet and introverted off-stage. The practice room is where she spends most of her time. "This place is where I love and struggle," Li said.
The journey of dance has been arduous for her, but the determination ingrained in the Chongqing native has kept her going. "I enjoy dancing now, and I will continue to persist in this path," she added.