PYEONGCHANG, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Russian figure skaters have defended the country's honor in women's single figure skating as two gifted young ladies won gold and silver medals here on Friday.
Following her outstanding performance in the short program, the 15-years-old Alina Zagitova of the Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR) team again stunned the Gangneung Ice Arena before a loud, excited crowd of Russian fans with a flawless program, triumphing with an overall total of 239.57. points, her personal best.
Four years ago in Sochi, Russia's Adelina Sotnikova won the country's first Olympic gold in the event.
Four years later, Russia's strength discipline is apparently growing as two-time world champion Evgenia Medvedva, 18, scored 238.268 points to win the silver medal. Canadian Kaetlyn Osmond settled for the bronze with 231.02 points.
"I would give me a four with a little plus (out of five) for my performance, because I didn't do the first jump combination (triple Lutz-triple loop), but I did it later. I proved one more time to myself that I can change my jump elements during the programme," said Zagitova.
"When I saw the score, I was surprised and it was a nice surprise. I am glad that I was able to deal with my nervousness, go out there and skate my programme calmly," she added.
When commenting on the competition with Medvedva, who is also coached by the renowned Eteri Tutberidze, Zagitova said: "I didn't feel the competition, but that I don't have any room for errors. That was a motivation and anxiety at the same time. My hands were shaking, but my body remembered what I've been doing many times in practice."
China's Li Xiangning finished 22nd with an overall 154.43 points. Li skated better than she did in the short program, but her unsteady landings after jumps and inconsistent sequence cost her too much, scoring 101.97 points in the long program.
Making her Olympic debut, the 17-year-old Li, China's national champion, has vowed to improve her skating skills and jump techniques so as to improve ahead of Beijing 2022 in four years time.
"The good young skaters mushroomed every year. As far as I was concerned, some Russian girls, maybe around 12 years old, are able to do quard jumps. I learned a lot from the girls in PyeongChang and what has happened here is pushing me forward," she said.
