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Bin YaoChinese figure skating coach
Date of Birth: 01.04.1957
Country:  China |
Content:
Biography of Bin Yao
Bin Yao is a Chinese figure skating coach and former pairs skater. He played a significant role in popularizing this sport in China and earned the nickname "Godfather of Chinese Figure Skating". Among his students are three-time world champions in pairs skating Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, world champions of 2006 Pang Qing and Tong Jian, and silver medalists of the 2006 Olympics Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao.
Early Life and Career
Yao was born and trained in Harbin, China. He and his partner Luan Bo, who is now also a coach, were the first pair to represent China in international figure skating championships. Luan Bo, who was only fourteen at the time, was eight years younger than Yao. In the 1980s, China began its policy of reform and openness, so Yao and Luan Bo could only learn figure skating elements through photographs. Their performance at the first World Championships in 1980 in Germany was met with ridicule from the audience. Yao Bin recalled, "At that time, Luan and I had only trained together for three months. Due to our lack of experience, our program was very simple, even laughable. Additionally, our costumes looked provincial compared to those of other athletes." The pair finished in last place. They also finished last in the 1981 and 1982 championships and the 1984 Winter Olympics. Despite winning the national championship five times in a row, they consistently placed last in international competitions.
Transition to Coaching
In September 1984, Yao Bin retired from amateur sports and became a coach, determined to establish a world-class pair skating school in China. In 1986, he became the coach of the Chinese national team and graduated from Harbin University in 1987 with a degree in physical education. At that time, there were no textbooks on figure skating in China. Yao Bin stated, "We started to gather and accumulate experience bit by bit, trying to develop the best training methods." It is known that in the 1990s, Chinese skaters and coaches sought guidance and training in Russia under the guidance of Igor Xenofontov.
Recognition and Current Role
Yao Bin gained international attention for his coaching achievements when his first pair, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, achieved victories at the world level. They were able to combine seemingly incompatible elements, incorporating Stanislav Zhuk's progressive ideas (high lifts, enormous amplitude) with the unity and artistry of Belousova and Protopopov. Currently, Yao Bin serves as the head coach of the Chinese team and has been the chairman of the coaching council of the Chinese Figure Skating Federation since 1998. He personally designs costumes for his students' performances and selects music for each program. He is married and has a son named Yao Yuan, who is studying at the Beijing Aerospace University.
