Li Zijun | Page 14 | Golden Skate

Li Zijun

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!

Actually the men and ladies national team are training in the same rink with pairs. They are just trained at different time and by different coach team. It's hard for Chinese skaters to get advising from different coaches for complex reasons including the struggle among different local governments. The pairs are exception results from YAO Bin's great success. There were also a true team for ladies in a short period from 2010~2014 when LI Mingzhu coached them. But the results of Sochi did not reach the expected and then Coach LI left. The leader of CSA said for years that they planed to do something good for FS in China, such as sending skaters out or hiring foreign coaches, but never fulfill. After Beijing successfully got the host right of OWG2022, let's wait and see if they will finally do something.
 
I'm sure China is going to produce some great skaters in the next few years.. well, they're hosting the winter games in 2022. Something similar to what happened in Russia after Vancouver 2010.
 
I didn't like LiMingzhu's training style because I suspect that she made Zijun train too hard while being sick, resulting in zijuns serious pneumonia, resulting in less preparation time and lack of stamina in sochi. But the idea of having a whole team for skaters instead of just one coach is the right direction.

Maybe it's difficult to 'officially' get an whole team but what about inofficially? How about Zijun herself or her coach just stayed a little longer at the rink and ask the pairs' team to have a look at her skating and give her some advise from time to time? would that be possible?
 
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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!

Paging Brian Orser.

Li Zijun is a frustrating case. She has so much potential, but her talent is being squandered away. She needs to develop more stamina, get a better hold on her nerves, and get better programs that aren't the same light, delicate, classical pieces.
 
Lilahozi I agree with you that it's such a shame to watch zijun not skating up to her potential.

It doesn't have to be Orser, actually I think Kori Ade would be very suited. Zijun seems to be a gentle soul and a nice person. Kori's strengts are: being caring and good to her skaters. Really polish their presentation. Letting them peak at the right time. Doesn't let nerves overtake her students.
This is exactly what Zijun needs. Her technique and jumps are already solid.

Also I actually think that the soft classical style is her true style. All the tangos and fast pieces she's tried turned out to be terribly lackluster. She just needs to polish the gentle lyrical style more by improving her SS, speed and expression.
just like someone said: she has grace within her. The way she's graceful cannot be taught. She just needs to polish and refine it.
 
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^I kinda agree with you. choose a different music genre does not necessarily guarantee that your expression/performance will improve or venture into another territory, stay within the same music style also does not mean that you are absolutely stagnant. It all depends on "did you skate to the music of your choice as the music demands". It you just choose a different music, but still do your own thing. then it is not a challenge. If you stay with your previous style, but work on polish/refine your familiar style to a even better level. that is still remarkable. In Zijun's case, the music choice has been done, there is no going back, however, even it is this familiar soft classical music vehicle, she still can improve. I dont think Zijun has done this genre to its maximum. There is still room for improvement. Yes she has grace within her (which is a gift from Gawd), but I dont think she is a great dancer yet. She needs better control of her long arms (at times, it still windmill across), and better music phrasing. As well as, skating skills, which is really essential for this type of music.
I think Zijun's skating skills has improved. she was not so stellar in the SP at this comp due to high attitude, but according to her choreo only SP clip, This SP program really is aiming at maximally showcase her SS, which I think has improved over the years.
However, I do wish that we can saw a wider range of style from Zijun in the future. or as OS said, something only belongs to her.
 
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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?


The altitude is not that high.
It's actually 200m lower than the altitude of Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs. If juniors can have a GP event at that altitude, so can the Chinese national team.
 

Thank you again! :) You seem really knowledgeable about Zijun and her federation!

I like both programs a lot and expecially the sp has great potential. Still, I just don't think her coach is competent enough for her high level. Get her to the pairs coaches or abroad ASAP! If she's not ready to complete the lp, then don't let her jump all triples etc. The chinese federation won't let her fall, just because she did an easier layout at the beginning of the season since she's the best chinese lady by far.
 

Thanks very much for this. I quite like the LP actually (Hallelujah:drama:) and see its potential. The music cut is well suited and challenging especially the latter half going to be stamina crazy to hit every beat of big band with little margins for error.

Did Zijun express what happened towards the end after the competition? The voice commentary speculate possible injury (or cramp?) but hope it wasn't serious. Sorry to see her have to be carried off... hope she feel better soon. These are good programs from Lori and I wish her success this season.
 
Thanks very much for this. I quite like the LP actually (Hallelujah:drama:) and see its potential. The music cut is well suited and challenging especially the latter half going to be stamina crazy to hit every beat of big band with little margins for error.

Did Zijun express what happened towards the end after the competition? The voice commentary speculate possible injury (or cramp?) but hope it wasn't serious. Sorry to see her have to be carried off... hope she feel better soon. These are good programs from Lori and I wish her success this season.

As Zijun said on weibo, she was faint because of altitude sickness and recovered soon after oxygen absorbing. No injury. Take it easy.
The commentators just speculated as they didn't know exactly what happened.
 
Thank you again! :) You seem really knowledgeable about Zijun and her federation!

I like both programs a lot and expecially the sp has great potential. Still, I just don't think her coach is competent enough for her high level. Get her to the pairs coaches or abroad ASAP! If she's not ready to complete the lp, then don't let her jump all triples etc. The chinese federation won't let her fall, just because she did an easier layout at the beginning of the season since she's the best chinese lady by far.

Well, I am Chinese and a big fan of the whole Team China. I always wish all the best of the Chinese skaters. But actually there're many unspoken rules in China and the CSA make some incomprehensible decision again and again. We Chinese fans all know that some wishes may never come true.
 
Zijun's FS tv version Youtube please? Cannot watch Youku...
I can watch tudou, with long time of buttering but still can watch it, Youku, no luck at all........
 


First I found Zijun skating really well and lovely, then I thought she really should learn to get right back to the program after a fall. After the falls, she seemed to skate half-heartedly with no energy. Then when she couldn't get up after the performance, I was concerned and thought to give her credit for continuing with and finishing the program after all, with all the elements.

I wish her good health and a good season.
 
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