Chapter 49 2011 Finals Awards Follow-up
◎If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight◎
"Ahhhh it's the silver medal!" The Chinese audience in the audience cheered excitedly.
“Ahhh, I heard people say that Tiantang was going to fall out of the top three! I didn’t expect that she would not only stay in the top three, but also move up!”
“The sudden addition of the Canadian team this season did not affect them at all!”
"They are still moving forward! They are unstoppable!"
"Sweet sugar rush!"
There were constant screams and shouts from the audience.
"Hello everyone, I'm Xiao Lu, a field reporter. I'm at the Canadian Figure Skating Grand Prix Finals, broadcasting live for everyone. Behind me is the audience, and everyone is very excited." Xiao Lu, a field reporter who has been following the Grand Prix, spoke to the camera with a microphone. She was still connected to the host of the relevant sports channel TV station to broadcast live.
Generally, the host will be responsible for the commentary during the game, while the field reporter is mainly responsible for the on-site explanation at the beginning, during the break or at the end of the game.
"Just now, our youth group ice dancers, Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi, finished with a total score of 145.18. They performed very well and won the silver medal in the finals! They were less than 5 points behind the champion Russian team!" The reporter Xiao Lu said proudly, "I learned from the scene that they made mistakes in the first two stages of the short dance, but they did not make any mistakes this time. The free dance was also perfect. Not only did they perform well in the joint lift and twist, but their entire performance was also remarkable."
"The final ending movement is also very consistent with the opera soundtrack they used, The Little Prince." Xiao Lu suppressed his excitement and continued to speak to the camera, "The opera The Little Prince is adapted from the fairy tale of the same name. In the fairy tale, the little prince did not return to his planet to reunite with Miss Rose who grew up there. Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi, with their graceful ice dance, added a perfect period to the fairy tale."
"Ji Tiantian! Tang Yi! Ji Tiantian! Tang Yi!"
There were enthusiastic cheers from the audience. Xiao Lu smiled and said after a while: "You can hear that the atmosphere is very warm and inspiring. I think Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi performed really well this time. They really used movements and dance to interpret a story. This is the most touching part of ice dance. Just like what the audience said, Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi are the hope of Asian ice dance. They will definitely go further and further!"
"Ji Tiantian! Tang Yi! Ji Tiantian! Tang Yi!"
The Chinese ice fans in the audience were still cheering.
Ji Tiantian stood at the edge of the ice, wearing a hard knife sheath.
She looked around at the passionate audience seats surrounding the center ice, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Not long ago, she and Tang Yi spent a month of closed training in the snowy Canada.
Neither of them wanted to waste this precious opportunity, so they practiced hard. The ice rink used for training was monotonous and quiet. In contrast, the noisy, colorful arena seemed like a dream.
Is that really realistic? They got the silver medal.
They only finished fourth in the first race, but unexpectedly won the silver medal in the final where the competition was several times more intense!
The truth was so beautiful that she couldn't believe it. She lowered her head and wiped away the tears that oozed from the corners of her eyes.
"Tiantian, why are you unhappy?" Jiang Lin came over, hugged Ji Tiantian tightly, touched her head, and said with relief in her voice, "Second place, we got the silver medal! Lao Xu will not leave, and your training will not stop!"
"There's also...there's also the World Youth Championship." Ji Tiantian said in a low voice.
"What's the problem?" Jiang Lin hugged Ji Tiantian and shook her gently. "You performed so well in the finals, you will definitely do well in the World Youth Championship. Anyway, Old Xu will definitely not leave!"
"Why are you saying these useless things?" Xu Chi walked over and said with a smile, "Tiantian, the second place gets 7,500 US dollars. Are you happy? When you go home this time, ask your mother to buy you a lottery ticket. You will definitely win!"
"Yeah." Ji Tiantian smiled brightly with tears in her eyes and nodded vigorously, "I'll buy it when I get back!"
Like pair skating, ice dancing can earn a $7,500 bonus for winning a silver medal in the finals. Excluding the portion that needs to be handed in and the portion that is shared with Tang Yi, she will receive about 11,000 RMB.
For a real 14-year-old girl, this is not a small amount of money.
Ji Tiantian couldn't help but recall the previous training.
The five-week twist that they performed smoothly on the ice this time was not so smooth during training.
Few people take on the challenge of adding a twist, not only because it is difficult to synchronize with more turns, but also because the risk more than doubles with an extra twist.
The regulations on twirling state that the closer the distance between the male and female partners is during twirling, the more GOE bonus will be given. However, in a fast and long close-range rotation, it is easy for two people to accidentally collide.
During training, Tang Yi's skates almost cut Ji Tiantian's legs a few times. Thanks to Tang Yi's experience and quick reaction, he discovered it in advance and stopped first, otherwise it might have caused an accident.
In fact, during the game just now, Ji Tiantian was also somewhat frightened when she saw Tang Yi's ice skates so close to her.
Every spin is like moving forward against a sharp knife.
She obtained these bonuses and honors by taking risks that no one knew about.
But she knew she had to do it.
Clara and the coaches all knew they had to do this. The pressure from both the international and domestic sides was on their shoulders. They had to grit their teeth and move forward.
For them who have a relatively low starting point, it is impossible to get a good ranking without taking risks.
There are some honors that must be obtained by her, just as there are some risks that she must take.
If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight.
Ji Tiantian blinked, straightened her back and raised her head.
There are some things that you can’t experience unless you are in the corresponding position. Last season she was still excited about getting a card, but this season, her feelings are obviously different.
She felt a burning sensation in her chest, but also a slight heaviness.
It was a sense of responsibility and mission. She had no choice but to face the challenge head on.
She couldn't help but look at Tang Yi beside her. His eyes were still calm and firm. She suddenly saw the same awareness in his eyes as hers.
From now on, we will protect the world we have created together.
"The next part is the award ceremony for the youth group ice dance. Contestants who won the third place, second place, and first place in the youth group, please prepare to go to the podium to receive your awards." A voice came over the radio.
"Go ahead." Xu Chi patted Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi on the shoulders and spoke loudly, "Remember to smile happily when you stand on the stage! Don't cry anymore!"
Ji Tiantian smiled and nodded, letting Jiang Lin touch up her makeup, and then went to the podium with Tang Yi.
On the way, she met the Spanish childhood sweethearts, Lei Luo and Anna, who also won fourth place in the final.
After all, there is prize money to be won in the Grand Prix Final, so everyone is basically pretty happy.
"Congratulations on winning the silver medal." Anna and Ji Tiantian hugged and congratulated each other.
"I thought Lei Luo and I had a good understanding, but I didn't expect you guys..." Anna smiled and looked at Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi with admiration in her eyes, "Five-week twist, you guys are amazing this season. Really. Ice dance results generally don't fluctuate too much. This is the first time I've seen a fourth place in a station fight back to win a silver medal in the final... Really, you guys are amazing. Forgive me for being so surprised, I don't know what to say."
"Thank you." Ji Tiantian smiled and nodded, then stared at Tang Yi. The hardship of the training and the pressure they endured did not need to be told to others. Opponents and spectators alike only needed to see their outstanding results.
"Thank you so much, Tiantian, for what you said to us during the World Youth Championship." Lei Luo smiled sincerely at Ji Tiantian, "You helped us get through the lows of last season. Although we are a little unwilling to not win a medal in the finals... but Anna and I are still very happy that it was you who surpassed us. You are opponents worthy of our admiration. I hope to continue to compete with you in the future."
"If you have any troubles, please tell us." Anna smiled and waved to Ji Tiantian.
Ji Tiantian nodded and continued to move forward. After a while, she and Tang Yi arrived at the entrance of the ice surface. They saw the third Canadian giants waiting there.
"I won't lose to you again next time." Lucas looked at Tang Yi and spoke gloomily.
"I hope your dream will come true one day." Tang Yi smiled faintly.
"Tiantian, I love your performance so much." Mia enthusiastically held Ji Tiantian's hand, "Especially the ending look, so beautiful! I feel like you have been pulling at Tang's emotions the whole time. If you hadn't been so natural and so good at it, your ending wouldn't have been so gripping!"
"Thank you." Ji Tiantian spoke softly.
"Lucas and I can't do that. He can never pick up on the emotions I want to convey." Mia pouted in distress. After a while, she suddenly thought of something and her eyes lit up. "Tiantian, you can easily convey your emotions to Tang Yi. Is it because you have a very good relationship?"
"Really?" Lucas couldn't help but ask, "How good is it?"
Ji Tiantian shook her head decisively: "We are just partners, and it can't be said to be particularly good."
"Really? Just a partnership?" The gold medalist in the final, Katerin, and his partner came over at this time.
"Don't you want to have a love relationship, ceramic doll? Your little prince looks very handsome." Katerin looked at Ji Tiantian with a smile.
"Yes, yes." Mia agreed.
"No, no." Ji Tiantian waved her hands hurriedly.
"Ilich, Tiantian and Tang are so interesting. They are not a couple nor childhood friends, but they work so well together." Katerin turned her head and deliberately spoke to Ilich in a voice that everyone around could hear. "I always feel that they are hiding something. Many of the things they don't say are actually expressed through their dance."
Ji Tiantian suddenly felt nervous after listening to this.
Ice dance is a kind of dance. And dance is a kind of expression.
Language can deceive and lie.
But dance doesn't.
Ji Tiantian was inexplicably panicked and subconsciously looked at Tang Yi.
"They are just talking casually. Don't take it to heart." Tang Yi comforted her.
"Yeah, yeah." Ji Tiantian nodded and could only think so.
By this time the podium had been set, and the gold medalist Katerin Ilich of Goose, the silver medalist Ji Tiantian Tang Yi of China, and the bronze medalist Mia Lucas of Canada, went to the podium one after another.
Ji Tang stood on the podium and hugged Mia Lucas who was skating over. Lucas and Tang Yi also hugged each other politely, although the atmosphere between them was still not harmonious.
"See you next year!"
"Well, see you next year!"
The three pairs of contestants on the podium made a promise to each other. Their eyes were full of fighting spirit and expectations for the coming year.
The end of one game also means the beginning of the next one. There is no end to the road of struggle.
The chairman of the referees came over and presented awards to the three pairs of contestants.
Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi bent down reverently and let the chairman of the referee put their silver medals on them.
Ji Tiantian touched the silver medal in her hand, and tears filled her eyes again.
This silver medal was won by them after a fierce battle with six pairs of world-class players.
Behind the beautiful dance moves is a competition where every use of the blade requires caution.
This silver medal is of great significance. It means that their efforts have not been in vain and that their so-called Asian-style performance has the possibility of being accepted.
She suddenly remembered Xu Chi's instructions, so she immediately wiped away her tears, smiled, and waved the bouquet to the audience.
"Tiantian is great! Come on, Tiantang!"
"Ahhh, I'm so touched. I got the silver medal!"
"I can't believe it's true... I thought I wouldn't even make the top three."
"Woooo ...
In the audience, Feifei, Ni Chuan, and many Chinese audiences shed tears as they looked at the smiling Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi beside her.
Ji Tiantian held the silver medal in her hand and looked ahead, where the bright red national flag was rising slowly.
She took a deep breath.
Including the world bronze medal, the gold medal in the individual events, and this silver medal of great significance, they have now collected a total of medals in three colors.
What color medal will you get next time?
She waited for fate to give the answer.
After the award ceremony, Ji Tang went to the mixed interview area to be interviewed by reporters from all over the world.
Ji Tiantian looked from afar and found that there were many more reporters gathered here waiting for them than at the score station.
After all, the scale and significance of the finals, as well as the weight of their medals, cannot be compared with the individual races.
Seeing Ji Tang coming over, the media reporters exclaimed happily, as if they had been waiting for them for a long time.
"Ji Tang, I watched your performance at the sub-stations. I thought your Little Prince was excellent at that time, but what you presented in the finals can definitely be called a masterpiece." An enthusiastic foreign reporter handed the microphone to Ji Tiantian. "I have asked many audiences before, and many of them were immersed in your story. How did you improve your performance so much in a short period of time?"
Ji Tiantian hesitated for a moment and didn't know how to answer this question.
Tang Yi looked at Ji Tiantian, and then spoke to the reporter in fluent English: "My partner is an excellent and diligent performer. She has been improving her expression, and I am very happy that she has finally won everyone's recognition."
"I heard that Ji is a student of a dance school. These outstanding performance methods must have been learned in the dance school." A reporter who had done his homework asked, "Ji must have done very well in the dance school, right? Do you have any learning experience to share with us?"
Ji Tiantian hesitated for a moment, but still smiled gently and spoke softly: "In fact, I have never been the best one in the dance school. My instep is not good enough, and many dance competition teachers will not choose me. But I believe that when God closes a door, he will open a window. I am still luckier than many people. When I found that window, I found that everything was still in time. So I will open that window without hesitation and go as far as possible. I hope that everyone will do the same and not give up. You will definitely find your own window."
"These are really inspiring words. I want my son to see this interview. He was just rejected by the school football team and is very depressed. He doesn't know what to do." A reporter said loudly, "Thank you for him! Ji!"
"Thank you all, thank you to the audience who likes us, and thank you to the ice fans who came from afar to support us!" Ji Tiantian shook the candy goose in her hand, curved her eyes and showed a sweet smile, "We will work hard in the future!"
"We'll work hard together." Tang Yi smiled faintly and shook the sweet goose in his hand.
Amid the flashing lights, the Grand Prix Final silver medalists from China, Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi, smiled together, shoulder to shoulder.
"Hey... why are your eyebrows so light?"
When walking out of the interview area, Ji Tiantian turned to look at the candied goose in Tang Yi's hand.
"Is there?" Tang Yi looked down.
"Well, you see, mine is thicker, more fierce, and more like you." Ji Tiantian shook the fiercer candy goose in her hand, and then, as if possessed by a ghost, she used it to hit the candy goose with light eyebrows in Tang Yi's arms.
Tang Yi frowned, took out the sweet goose and started fighting with Ji Tiantian's sweet goose.
The two of them laughed and fought all the way without realizing it. This was also a rare moment of relaxation for them recently.
After that, the four events of the youth group were completed. Yu Shagaozhe won the first place in the pairs skating, Ning Huai won the second place in the men's singles, and Ye Yidong won the fifth place in the women's singles.
Then it was time for the regular event, the GALA performance. All six pairs/individual skaters in the four events participating in the finals had to participate in the GALA performance.
This time, Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi were well prepared and changed into their kung fu costumes for the performance early on.
The upper body is a long-sleeved top with buttons, and the lower body is long pants. Ji Tang's clothes are all black with red trims. Ji Tiantian wears a kung fu suit and has two small buns on her head, which makes her look quite heroic and cute at the same time.
Before the GALA began, the four athletes from various countries gathered together to chat happily. But Ji Tiantian noticed that Ye Yidong was standing by the side in a sullen manner and didn't say much.
"Maybe he feels that he is at the bottom of the youth group, so he is unhappy." The female partner of the pairs skating, Yu Sha, also noticed it and spoke softly to Ji Tiantian.
Ji Tiantian was stunned. It made sense. Compared with men's singles and pairs skating, women's singles is still a little inferior, but in the past, it was not worse than ice dancing. Now that she and Tang Yi are here, the little women's singles may not be able to accept it. It's not that they can't accept ice dancing catching up, but they can't accept themselves being at the bottom.
"If you have anything that makes you unhappy, tell me about it." Ji Tiantian walked over and spoke to Ye Yiddong.
"You don't understand anyway." Ye Yidun responded sullenly.
"When Tang Yi and I got fourth place in the standings, there were a lot of doubts online." Ji Tiantian thought for a moment and continued, "There were a lot of people questioning whether we could compete in the second round and whether we could keep the top three this season. There were also foreign ice fans who thought it was ridiculous that the American team copied us. After all, our results were not good... In the finals, many people thought we wouldn't make it."
Ye Yidun didn't say anything and just listened to Ji Tiantian quietly.
"There are always people who don't understand us. However, our younger generations, the ice fans who really care about us, will never forget our efforts. Just like you won't forget Qian Xiyue." Ji Tiantian smiled sweetly at Ye Yidong, "Results are not everything. It's a happy thing to love this sport and stay here with people who love the same sport, isn't it?"
Ye Yidun listened to Ji Tiantian's words, subconsciously raised his head and looked around the bustling GALA scene.
Her eyes gradually became moist. In fact, she was depressed not because she was at the bottom, but because she was afraid of disappointing her fans and everyone's expectations.
But Ji Tiantian is right. She loves this sport. A true ice hockey fan will also see her efforts... right?
"Really? Is that really the case?" Ye Yidong sobbed, "Everyone will see me..."
"Yes, that must be the case." Ji Tiantian nodded vigorously and spoke in an affirmative voice, "I was also an ice hockey fan when I was a child. I like everyone who works hard! No matter what, trying your best is the best!"
Ye Yiddong paused, hugged Ji Tiantian and started crying loudly.
"Ah, don't cry like this, your makeup will be ruined!" Ye Yiddong's coach hurried over and wiped Ye Yiddong's tears.
"I suddenly feel that Tiantian is terrifyingly good." Ning Huai stood aside and watched, and couldn't help but speak with emotion, "How should I put it, her strength is not only in technology..."
"I understand what you mean." Gao Zhe, the male partner of the pairs skating, nodded. "On the field, he can attract the emotions of the audience. Off the field, a few words can make people cry like this... He is a strong emotion-mobilizing force."
After they finished speaking, they all looked at Tang Yi who was standing beside them, with a hint of sympathy in their eyes.
"What's wrong?" Tang Yi noticed their gazes and asked.
"You have to be careful, Brother Yi. Tiantian is a master at stirring up emotions." Ning Huai warned Tang Yi, "Be careful not to be led by the nose."
Tang Yi was silent. He turned to look at Ji Tiantian who was smiling at Ye Yidong. After a long time, he spoke in a very low voice: "It's too late."
Soon, the GALA began amid everyone's anticipation.
As the silver medalist, Ji Tang came to the ice amid cheers. Their soundtrack came from a world-renowned cartoon, Avatar: The Last Airbender.
This animation blends Chinese and Western cultures almost perfectly.
To the sound of magnificent music, Ji Tang and his partner lunged on the ice, threw punches, and performed a beautiful set of Chinese boxing techniques. This was also what they learned from professional teachers before the overseas training.
Let the world hear China's voice.
One day, we will find a way to be recognized internationally and make our voice heard.
One day.
They will keep running forward.
Amidst applause, GALA came to a perfect end, and the thrilling finals also officially came to an end.
Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi put on their coats, took their ice skates, and left the venue where they had fought together with the other three young athletes.
On the way out, Ji Tiantian couldn't help but lower her head to browse the figure skating forum, and clicked into the "2011 Finals Ice Dance Special Discussion Forum", and sure enough, she saw many people screaming in the forum.
411L: Ahhh, silver medal! I, Da Tiantang, got the silver medal! Six pairs of masters, ranked second!
412L: Woohoo, I almost suffocated when I saw the Spanish group perform. I felt like it was really over at that time. They performed so well, and the giants and big goose groups were so strong. I thought we would definitely lose the medal this time.
413L: Wow wow wow, really, I was there. At that time I really thought I had no hope of winning the bronze medal this time wow wow wow.
414L: Before Tiantang came on stage, we were on the field: "Wow, I'm so sad that I'm going to lose my bronze medal." Then Tiantang came on stage and smiled: "Hey, the medal changed color, you never expected it."
415L: Waaaaaah, stop talking, the medal changing color is so tear-jerking!
416L: The lift is beautiful, the twist is beautiful, and the ending move is beautiful. They are the best little prince and rose in my mind!
417L: I feel relieved now. The first echelon of the youth group ice dance has been formed, including the big goose, Canada, China, and Spain. The top three should be among these four groups in the future. I am looking forward to their future competition.
418L: I don’t care! Tiantang is the best anyway! I always believe in Tiantang!
Ji Tiantian looked at these flattering comments and felt happy and touched at the same time.
She noticed that many of the fans who posted comments in the forum changed their profile pictures to the Little Prince, or the Little Prince and a rose.
Being able to leave a mark in people’s hearts, even if it’s just for a moment, is a very fulfilling thing.
A crisp ringtone brought Ji Tiantian back to her senses. The sound came from Xu Chi's cell phone.
Xu Chi picked up the phone and immediately became serious. Just by looking at his expression, Ji Tiantian knew it must be the boss calling.
After Xu Chi hung up the phone, Ji Tiantian couldn't help but ask, "Is it the boss who called?"
"Yes, from the Sports Bureau." Xu Chi said.
The leaders who currently have work contacts with Xu Chi are mainly his immediate superior, the head coach of the national figure skating team, and relevant leaders of the Sports Bureau.
According to the nature of the work, they would assign various tasks. Usually, the Sports Bureau would not have frequent contact with Xu Chi, but given Ji Tang's influence in ice dancing, they would occasionally come into contact with Xu Chi.
"The leader said, congratulations to you." Xu Chi looked at Ji Tiantian's eyes full of concern and couldn't help but smile. "By the way, I suggest that you open an account on the social platform to post your daily updates. This will save people from constantly calling the Sports Bureau to ask about your future development plans and competition arrangements."
After hearing these words, Ji Tiantian and Jiang Lin couldn't help but laugh. The fans who supported them were really enthusiastic.
When the group left the venue, they saw Ni Chuan who had been waiting there. Ji Tiantian soon saw that there was a familiar young lady standing next to him.
"Tiantian... do you still remember me?" The young lady approached nervously, rubbed her hands and spoke softly, "We met after the competition in Korea... In fact, I also watched your sub-station. Well... this was designed by me." The young lady shook the sweet goose in her hand.
"Oh, so you are Feifei!" Ji Tiantian was delighted, "Thank you, Tang Yi and I both like your design!"
"How do you know my name is Feifei?" The girl named Feifei was surprised, then looked at Ni Chuan beside her, "Have you told Tiantian and Tang Yi?" Ni Chuan once told Feifei that he was Tang Yi's good friend.
"I didn't say that." Ni Chuan shook his head.
"Then how..." Feifei looked at Ji Tiantian in confusion, and suddenly had an idea, "Ah! Are you also on the figure skating forum?"
Feifei often posts on the forum under her own name. She thought that this could be the only reason why Ji Tiantian knew her name.
"Ah...this, actually..." Ji Tiantian was panicked for a moment.
It doesn't matter if people know she went to the forum, but she is afraid that the vest she is wearing will fall off. She doesn't want to take it off yet!
She subconsciously looked at Tang Yi beside her, asking for help with her eyes. However, Tang Yi said nothing, with a faint smile on his lips.
"Well...well, as long as you like it." Feifei looked at Ji Tiantian and continued, "I just want to ask, when is your next game? I want to pay attention to it."
Ji Tiantian was silent for a moment.
"It should be the Winter Youth Olympics in January." Xu Chi replied.
Feifei then smiled happily: "Wow, it's almost here! I'm really looking forward to it!"
-over-
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
