Chongqing - On August 12, the first ice and snow event of the 7th Games of Chongqing, the figure skating competition, officially kicked off at Mixc's ice rink in Jiulongpo District. Competitors showcased their dazzling athletic prowess and artistic flair on a pristine ice rink, gracefully gliding to the music and etching powerful, beautiful patterns with their skates.

As Chongqing’s premier figure skating event, the competition boasted a judging panel of national-level referees, with Gao Ge, a former member of China's national team and a certified national referee, serving as the chief judge. The event's standards were on par with those of national competitions, reflecting its high level of organization and prestige.

Young figure skaters showcase their grace and skill during the 7th Games of Chongqing, leaving the audience in awe with their elegant performances. (Photo/The 7th Games of Chongqing)

The opening ceremony for the figure skating and ice hockey competitions of the 7th Games of Chongqing took place simultaneously at 10:30 a.m. on August 12. The figure skating competition featured two divisions, Junior A and Junior B, with short and free skating categories for men's and women's programs. The event drew participants from 11 districts and counties across the city.

Throughout the competition, the figure skaters, adorned in dazzling costumes, fully immersed themselves in their performances, moving in perfect harmony with the music. Each spin and jump elicited enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience. After five hours of intense competition, the top three winners in both the Junior A and Junior B categories were announced. Liang Yiqiu from Jiulongpo District secured third place in the Junior B men's category. In a post-competition interview, he expressed his gratitude: "I am very thankful for the support of my coach and teammates, as well as the encouragement from my family. I will take this achievement as a new starting point, continue to train hard, and strive for even better results in future competitions."

A figure skater strikes a powerful pose during her performance at the 7th Games of Chongqing, captivating the audience with precision and grace. (Photo/The 7th Games of Chongqing)

Zhang Ge, Director of the Chongqing Winter Sports Management Center, highlighted that the ice and snow events have become a focal point of this year’s games. Building on the previous Games of Chongqing, which featured three winter sports - figure skating, snowboarding, and ice hockey, this year’s edition has expanded to include alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and cross-country roller skiing, bringing the total number of ice and snow events to six. This expansion reflects the rapid growth of winter sports in Chongqing in recent years. Following the figure skating competition, the 7th Games of Chongqing ice hockey event will commence on August 13.

The 2024 Cup of China will also take place in November at the Chongqing Huaxi LIVE Stadium. This will mark the fourth time Chongqing has hosted the Cup of China. Zhang Ge emphasized that with the continued influence of international top-tier events and the increasing popularity of ice and snow sports throughout the city, enthusiasm for winter sports in Chongqing has seen a significant rise in the post-Winter Olympics era.