China's 18-year-old figure skating prodigy An Xiangyi made her World Figure Skating Championships debut in Boston this week, ending a four-edition absence of Chinese representation in the women's singles event. The rising star, who claimed China's national title at age 13 and placed sixth at the Junior World Championships in 2021, showcased her technical ambition on the global stage.
Skating to the French ballad "Voila," An faced challenges during Wednesday's short program, including multiple landing errors that resulted in a score of 47.52 points. The performance placed her 27th overall, narrowly missing the cutoff for advancing to the free skating segment.
Despite the setback, An's presence marks a significant milestone for China's developing figure skating program. Sports analysts note her triple Axel attempts and artistic expression signal strong potential for future competitions. "This experience will fuel her growth," commented a Beijing-based winter sports coach familiar with An's training regimen.
The International Skating Union event continues through Saturday, with eyes now turning to China's entries in pair skating and ice dance disciplines.
