Teenage skater Li buds at national winter games

Hosts favorite Li Zijun emerged as a corp of cream at the women's singles figure skating as the teenage sensation wound up with three titles from the 12th National Winter Games of China here on Friday.

The 15-year-old Changchun native, surprised all by nailing a 2-3-2 jump during her impressive free skate, gliding to Lee Holdridge's "Scenes of Summer", to come out a clear front runner with 125.56 points.

"I felt at the moment that I could do better," said Li, whose routine had originally included a double-double at her second jump. "I knew the odds were small but I wanted to try."

"It's a challenge against myself and I'm so happy to have made it," said the sweet girl, who burst into tears after the successful free skate.

Her national teammate Zhang Kexin from Harbin was beaten to a distance second place with a remarkable deficit of 19.63 points. Another Harbin skater Zhao Ziquan was third in free skate on 98.28.

Li thus completed a hat-trick by finishing on the top podium for three times in three days after crowned at the performance challenges, a China-only event set up to stimulate skaters on promoting artistic impression, short program and free skate.

"The girl has done a nearly flawless routine, which is far beyond her normal level," said Li's national team coach Li Chengjiang. "I'm so proud of her."

Li Zijun, who just slid onto the international stage last season, has twice claimed the national championships women's singles title in last two years and finished as a runner-up at two of the 2011-2012 ISU Grand Prix junior events.

"She's a born figure skater," said the national head coach Li Mingzhu. "Her sense for music and rhythm is outstanding and she gets the shape and body to make clear jump."

Li, however, was cautious on predicting the little girl's future.

"Li might be the most promising one in China, but she still has a lot to catch up with the world-class skaters, like South Korea's Kim Yuna and Japan's Asada Mao," said Li.

According to her schedule, the teenage skater will take part in the inaugural Youth Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria on Jan. 12 as a member of the 23-member Chinese delegation.