Li Zijun

[yuki]

Yuna's clair de lune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nweE-DCcLtw
Check out Yuna's opening and ending pose
and Zijun's
: Zijun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAJYhB3yAdw

 

[yyyskate]

As a Yuna fan, of course I knew it is a fan edit. But it is a gorgeous fan edit and quite famous fan edit. I bet many people had watched it, and the ending pose indeed are quite similar, regardless the original music. it is beautiful and angelic skating!!!: I have watched that video many times, one of my fav fan edit, I WILL get very nostalgic when watching Zijun doing that move.
Besides that move, Zijun will also do innar bauer + 2A for the first time in her career in this program
For Mao fans,
Mao's clair de lune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAK0j7Ioef8

 

[gotoschool]

Zijun's interview about program and tech (similar to S/H and Han's)
Original article in Chinese
http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/winter/2015-09-06/doc-ifxhqhui4873033.shtml
My translation:
about SP:
It took us a whole month to choose SP music, In the beginning, Lori gave me 3 choices: clair de lune,over the rainbow and priest music(or church, gospel music). She and I both struggled with music choice. Since the worlds is in US, Lori thought that if skate to "over the rainbow",it might have a better interaction with the American audience. Lori has found 7 versions for me. but was not satisfied with either. Felt it was a bit juniorish for a mature senior skater. But since I had to go back to China for the ice show at the time, therefore, we choreoed an EX number first. that is "the water is wide". To distinguish my performance style (from EX), therefore, eventually, we chose "Clair de lune". At the time, Both Carolina Kostner and Mao Asada thought that this music suits me as well. Mao has skated to it before and liked the music very much. They all hope that I could improve to another level through this music vehicle.
about Tec:
SP is still 3F+3T、3lo、2A, but depends on my training condition, I might change to 3T+3T、3F、2A, could try both lay-outs in competitions this season. Although I never used 3T-3T combo last season in competitions. But I actually had pretty good successful rate of this combo in practice during previous training. Just never succeeded in competitions. Therefore, I didnot use it at the later half of OG season. But I think if I recover (from my previous slump), I actually have some confidence about it.

about FS:
This music is a huge challenge for me. The last part of my FS is fast tempo music. It will be a tremendous challenge for my stamina. which has always been my problem before. The whole program, we selected from 3 different music cut. the first is a waltz, the second is a melancholy music, the last is the fast tempo part. which is also the last part of 2013 Denis Ten's "the artist".
about Tec:
This season, rule change is even more taxing about lutz wrong edge. Therefore, Lori put 3LZ to my second to the last jump. considering,even if put it in the first half, if I got edge call, I could NOT get much plus points,it would be a waste of stamina, Nowadays, rules requires skaters to have a complete set of triples, if lack one type of jump, the jump combo layout choices would be very limited. But I think this is not just my problem (wrong edge), many girls will face the same problem.
about style:
The season, both SP and FS, the style is more mature than before. Mao was there when we were choreo my long, while Caro was with me when choreo my short. They have given me many suggestions and help.Basically, SP aiming at channeling Caro's style, while, FS borrowed something from Mao.
about new season:
First, need to be consistent on tech elements, because tech is the foundation of scores. Further, I wish to improve my stamina. I really emphasized training in this area now. because, at times in competition, I have all the intention to perform but not enough energy to pull it off... I wish I can improve (in this area) this season. Please do not abandon performance quality in the later half... Last year's competitions was like, although all my jumps were landed in the later half, I cannot guarantee quality performance.... Especially, the later part of my new FS is fast tempo music this season, if I can not match up with my music, it would be a waste.

End :）

Zijun is also determined to correct her lutz edge, she is undertaking some really difficult training about that right now.
Good LUCK!!:

Thanks a lot for working so hard to make this translation. I hope Mao and Carolina combined can help inspire Zijun to give great performances this season.

 

[yyyskate]

Thanks a lot for working so hard to make this translation. I hope Mao and Carolina combined can help to inspire Zijun to give great performances this season.

You are very welcome : it was my honor that I could help just a tiny little bit about sharing Chinese skaters' info with international world.

 

[OS]

I suspect the third piece of music Lori had in mind is The Mission which would equally be Zzzzz.....

I can't say I am terribly impressed with 3 choices ... especially with Over the Rainbow (thank gawd they didn't pick that, too junior!!! Yikes, glossy red slipper costume anyone?! ) talk about predictable and stereotype choices to make her into one of those boring pretty skater I know Zijun is more than!! Why be so vanilla? There are reason why she has openly adore Yuna's skating and try to emulate her most, because Yuna's skating and programs are never boring or predictable!! I can't possibly ever imagine Yuna pick these 3 piece of music either for a short. And most importantly how will these 3 choices help with her PCS, if is going to do more or less the same what she is always doing. Nevertheless it was kind of Mao and Carolina to help her to come up with these directions... getting advice is always a valuable source of information, but it is also important to be aware not all good advices are applicable for all skaters at the same time.

Zijun is in a tough place. She hasn't achieved even quarter of the stuff Mao and carol has achieved, doesn't have the reputation, nor the power federation or judge's respect that Mao and Carolina do. She is hosed in PCS even when skate at home, so she need to try things that makes her outstanding and having personal breakthroughs. With Lori she obviously is in a subordinate position, someone she trusts completely and always look up up to elders's teaching like a grateful student look up to their mentors and be completely be at their mercy. Perhaps I urge her she can do some research privately and try to come up with some more ideas on her own next season... to really try to embrace new directions, and think a little outside the box. Be a little rebellious, don't be afraid to be unique, be different, and skate more as herself rather than someone's idea. Owning more of the skating herself. Why not take her angst and frustration and put it into a darker, serious and more dramatic program something she has never done? Consider what the Russian youngsters are doing, a little bit firey, a little bit spicy, a little bit quirky, a lot of self deluded grandeur... they need to consider what will work standout from all of them. Why do Lori's successful mould #2.223, when she should try to carve her own space and be outstanding not just among the Asian skaters, but from the whole field? And most importantly progress artistically and evolve into a more interesting and forward thinking performer season by season.

Although the music from The artist can be interesting for her (depends on the edit), I am dreading the choreography and creative direction, hope won't be one of those contrived oh i am acting cute type of interpretation pageantry that Lori had in mind for every single Chinese skater it seems. Poor HanYan, how many times does he have to put up with do humour, do funny?? Why can't he be given a proper straight faced Patrick Chan type of classic program with none of those hokey business?

 

[OS]

A couple of ideas to present a more maturer, evolving Zijun. Grander, more dramatic and grown up. Music are not commonly used in figure skating. She need her own signature 'sounds' program... and not someone's already successful formula.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z-JHs1x80Y (Can slow this by 1/8th seconds to be better speed for skating if need to.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J-FZCD_av0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnrGX8O6sN4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZTeavJ9frA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIhZbvlCjY0 (I'd recommend this for Patrick Chan highly too)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PguF07JJf8g (This is by the same composer as Soyoun's R&J)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7lmMNweUVU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTlDceypS-g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H24gvQEiedM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV0iNJkOjjY (this is the complete ost, but can be edited)

 

[yyyskate]

Lori actually thought to ask Han to skate to "over the rainbow" as well..... Thank God, they didnot....

 

[OS]

Lori actually thought to ask Han to skate to "over the rainbow" as well..... Thank God, they didnot....

Ohh nooo that is just too much! I seriously think she is sabotaging his career

Why can't he get something like Denis's silk road!!!

 

[yyyskate]

Why can't he get something like Denis's silk road!!!

I don't know...:hopelessness:

 

[yyyskate]

Zijun may seems to be an obedient typical Chinese student skater, but she is very determined to correct her lutz edge, even there are many nay_sayers among fans. And she said that she had a dream and work every minute of her life so far for that one dream. She will never give up.
I admire her for her determination.

 

[randomfan]

Great to hear from her! This makes me more excited for her programs, especially the fast tempo part in the FS.

 

[balladeno1]

I recently became a fan of her this past season. This may be obvious, but the comment about Han and Zijun always being very obedient with Lori is could possibly the fact that they haven't been encouraged by surrounding coaches, parents, friends to try expand let's call it a repertoire. I would think that this waltz www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG1gbOjWWdI

 

[yyyskate]

^^ last carnival is one of my skating warm-up song

 

[OS]

Zijun may seems to be an obedient typical Chinese student skater, but she is very determined to correct her lutz edge, even there are many nay_sayers among fans. And she said that she had a dream and work every minute of her life so far for that one dream. She will never give up.
I admire her for her determination.

Yes I do too, but all skaters must have been determined to skate at elite level. So much training and self sacrifice not able to live and eat normally like others their age. The ones succeed are the ones that goes the extra mile and have more than just determination! Hate to be critical, but Zijun need to face reality and see what is going on and go the extra mile. She is really talented, has huge star potential and got the goods. She need to remind others of her 7 triple WC performance, and given the poor showing of last 2 years due to injury and growth spurts which give judges excuse to deflate her PCS to junior standard , she really need the extra boost!!

I think taking advice from others are good and valuable.. but if Yuna Kim was to tell her why don't you do El Tango De Roxanne and Lark Ascending as these has served me well in the past. My advice to Zijun is: be very thankful and very grateful to Yuna and her generous advice, but DON'T listen!!! Do your own thing! Be your own skater! Make your own mark! Take ownership of everything you do!! Make that Zijun signature program no one else has done or will ever do. Make your own 'El Tango' and 'Lark Ascending' figuratively but do not copy others! (Mind you, I don't think Yuna will ever give this kind of advice to anyone.)

I hope we get to see her FS soon... hope it will be something we have never seen before!!

 

[Eclair]

I agree - Zijun, make your own mark and skate the way that you think expresses the music best! Choose your own music - you already choreographed your les mis EX by yourself! But I don't agree that shehas to skate to darker music or do something spectacular to show that she's something special.
Mae Berenice always has very unique music and movements but the judges still give her no love.

She just needs more refinement and expression of her current music.

No more floppy arms please! Work on that stamina and SS.

 

[yyyskate]

A little repo about Zijun. I watched SP and FS. Zijun suffered severe high altitude reaction, Therefore her performance at this comp is really bad. She fainted onto the ice right after her FS ending pose and was carried by Hao and Cong in order to do the bow...
Her FS dress is a black/purple dress with a unique cutted design and has those fuzzy feathery decoration (think about Yuna's die fledermaus Worlds dress and Yuna's sheherazade). I quite like it. The music editing is IMO not that good. the transition from waltz to middle part is very abrupt...
Could not see much choreo in her FS from this outing. She did spread eagle + 2A here and In step sequence (the fast tempo part) there are indeed some borrowed moves from Mao's I get rhythm.

 

[Eclair]

Does anyone have a video link for her LP?

The more I read about read about her the more I think her team just doesn't have a plan. Hearing the interviews of the top coaches like Brian Orser and Kristi Krall, they all said, that they had everything planned for their skaters - when they will focus on this or that jump, which competitions in which order is the best etc.
Putting a comp at high altitude right in the beginning of the season is just plain dumb. And if you do that, then you have to make sure that stamina is trained first and then polish jumps, spins, steps, SS later in the season.
Otherwise what good would a competition in high altitude do? Discouraging the skater right in the beginning of the season by making her go 150% and still fail to do a good programm?

 

[xiangfuzi]

Does anyone have a video link for her LP?

The more I read about read about her the more I think her team just doesn't have a plan. Hearing the interviews of the top coaches like Brian Orser and Kristi Krall, they all said, that they had everything planned for their skaters - when they will focus on this or that jump, which competitions in which order is the best etc.
Putting a comp at high altitude right in the beginning of the season is just plain dumb. And if you do that, then you have to make sure that stamina is trained first and then polish jumps, spins, steps, SS later in the season.
Otherwise what good would a competition in high altitude do? Discouraging the skater right in the beginning of the season by making her go 150% and still fail to do a good programm?

Except the pairs team, I don't think any of the Chinese skater exactly has a team. There are just one coach for several skaters, not a whole team that everyone works on specialized training.
About the competition at high altitude, they don't plan the competition for any other purpose. It's just because this is a qualifier for 13th National Winter Game and Xinjiang got the right of host for this Game four years ago. The rink is newly build for this Game as Xinjiang has no standard ice rink before.
In China, the National Winter Game or National Game every four years is the most important competition, even more important than the World Championships. All the skaters have to participate the qualifier for their qualifications to National Winter Game. So everyone has great determination to competing here. For example, LIU Jiaxing suffered an accident and injured at the next day arrived in Xinjiang , the doctors suggested him to get cast and give up this competition, otherwise he may got his ligament tore. Though we saw it's even hard for him to down the stairs, he insisted on performing his two Program and finally did.

 

[Eclair]

Thank you for that informative post xiangfuzi

Since that competition is so important I understand even less what her coach was thinking. Really, the more important a competition, the better it should be planned .... meaning: prepare for the high altitude, jeez

I have been thinking for a while now (since 2013 to be exact), that zijun should be sent to the US or Candada for training. She has stable jumping technique, what she needs is better SS, better stamina, more polishment and expression in her presentation. And if the federation doesn't want to send her away, at least let her train together in one rink with the top pairs teams. I don"t know
Why, bit they have SS and expression!

 

[yyyskate]

TBH， I always wanted to suggest that Zijun if cannot train abroad, at least, learn from Chinese pairs, e.g. Sui/Han. How to dance, hold a position better and how to be expressive........Zijun has to put her mind into it....