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Tong JianChinese figure skater performing in pairs skating
Date of Birth: 15.08.1979
Country:  China |
Content:
- Biography of Tun Jiean
- Early Life and Career Beginnings
- Junior Career and International Success
- Olympic and World Championship Success
- Olympic and World Championship Achievements
Biography of Tun Jiean
Tun Jiean, a Chinese figure skater, is known for his performances in pair skating under the New Judging System. He currently holds the world record in the free skate with his partner. As of February 2010, Tun and Pan are ranked second in the world.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Tun Jiean was born on August 15, 1979, in Harbin, China, the birthplace of Chinese pair skating. He started skating at the age of six, initially participating in competitions as a singles skater. Due to his weak jumping technique, Jiean spent two years participating only in ice dancing before deciding to switch to pair skating.
Initially, his partner was Zhang Yue, but in 1993, coach Yao Bin paired Jiean with Xin Pan, with whom Jiean still performs to this day. When Yao moved to Beijing, Pan and Tun trained and competed without a coach until 1997, when Bin resumed his previous responsibilities.
Junior Career and International Success
The junior career of the pair did not start off smoothly. They placed 14th, 9th, and achieved their best result of 8th place at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships between 1997 and 1999. After no international representation, Jiean and Pan won silver medals at the Chinese National Championships in 1999.
At their first Four Continents Championships, they placed fifth, and then finished fourth at their first World Championships. Slowly improving their results and climbing the rankings, Jiean and Pan qualified for the 2002 Winter Olympics, where they finished ninth. They finally earned their first medal at the World Championships in 2004, finishing in third place.
Olympic and World Championship Success
The 2004-2005 season was uneven, and the following campaign in 2005-2006 started off not so brilliantly. However, Jiean and Pan were able to rally for the 2006 Winter Olympics, where they placed fourth, and then went on to win the World Championships.
In the following season, Jiean and Pan were unable to defend their title and withdrew from the Grand Prix Skate America due to an injury. They placed second at the Cup of China and won silver medals at the Four Continents Championships. The 2007-2008 season saw the pair lose their champion status in two out of three Grand Prix events, but they went on to win bronze at the Grand Prix Final and became champions at the Four Continents Championships. However, at the World Championships, Jiean and Pan returned with a disappointing fifth place finish.
The 2008-2009 campaign was a successful one, with the pair winning the Grand Prix Final and setting a record by winning their fourth Four Continents Championships. Unfortunately, the World Championships once again did not result in a podium finish.
Olympic and World Championship Achievements
In the 2009-2010 season, Jiean and Pan won both Grand Prix events and silver medals at the Grand Prix Final. At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, they set a new world record in the free skate, earning 141.81 points. This performance placed them in second position, behind Zhao Hongbo and Shen Xue. At the World Championships in Turin in 2010, Jiean and Pan became the new champions.
Overall, Tun Jiean's career has been marked by consistent performances, multiple medals, and a world record-setting performance.
