Towering teenage boy and girl, 9, in China figure skating partnership spark debate
Commentators consider contrast in height and seven-year age gap to be ‘uncomfortable’, raise questions over safety, ethics
A little and large Chinese figure skating pair have sparked debate on social media, with many debating whether the significant size and age gap is good for the sport as the country grapples with a lack of competition at the elite level.
The duo, Li Xinze, a nine-year-old girl, and Li Mingda, a strapping 16-year-old boy, competed in the senior pairs at last week’s China National Figure Skating Championships.
In a dramatic contrast, Li Xinze barely reached her partner’s chest, although her small stature made it easy for the teenager to throw her into the air in several high-risk manoeuvres on the ice.
Among the harder moves was the triple twist lift, in which Li Mingda launched Li Xinze into the air for three rotations before catching her, and the throw triple jump, where he sent her into a triple-rotation jump.
The pair, who are not related, scored 127.23 points and finished eighth out of the nine duos taking part.
Under International Skating Union (ISU) regulations, the age difference between pair skaters cannot exceed seven years, meaning the partnership is compliant, yet it has still fuelled intense discussion about aesthetics, safety and ethics.