Injuries hunt champions

For China's top figure skating pair Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao, nothing but the gold medal could satisfy them at the 12th National Winter Games which opened here Tuesday evening.

Yet, the two-time defending champions have to battle against not only daunting rivals like Pang Qing and Tong Jian, the two-time world champions, but also pains from a string of injuries.

Zhao Hao was seen both arms bandaged in a training session at the Changchun Skating Stadium here at the capital city of Northeast China's Jilin province.

"The pain is killing me when I try to unbend my right elbow," said the 27-year-old Zhang Hao, who failed to complete the lift in training due to the injury and had to put an ice package on his arms to ease the pain.

Adding to his nagging arm, waist and knee injuries, Zhang Hao, whose minor error cost them a gold in the Turin Winter Games in 2006, lost weight this season while Zhang Dan, who was once 1.63-meter tall, has gained nine centimeter in height.

"My partner is the tallest female figure skater in the world," joked Zhang Hao. "Since she's taller and taller, I have to become stronger and stronger to perform successful lift."

Zhang Hao's injuries had forced the Zhangs to skip the whole last season. They are on a comeback in 2011-2012, having finished runners-up in the American Grand Prix and fourth in the ISU Grand Prix Finals.

Despite the difficulties, the Zhangs vowed to work hard.

"All athletes want to win at whatever competition, not to mention Zhang Dan and I. And we are the two-time National Games champions, so we are determined to win it again," said Zhang Hao.

He was echoed by Zhang Dan. "We are both experienced and suffered a lot together. The current difficulties won't scare us," she said.

The figure skating competitions of the National Winter Games kick off on Wednesday and Zhang Dan/Zhang Hao will take to ice Thursday afternoon.