Wenjing Sui/Cong Han of China have done it all: They are the 2022 Olympic Champions, 2018 Olympic silver medalists, two time ISU World Champions, six time ISU Four Continents Champions, three-time ISU World Junior Champions. They have been a top team ever since they emerged on the international scene on the ISU Junior Grand Prix in 2009. They have won it all, seen it all in their amazing career that spanned more than a decade. And yet, their passion and love for figure skating never went away.  

Now they are back. Not many believed their comeback would really happen when their names first were on the roster for the ISU Grand Prix series and especially after they did not compete at the Skate To Milano Olympic qualifying event in September. Then the Chinese pair took the ice in Chongqing at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China and claimed bronze after not having competed since February 2022. 

Wenjing Sui/Cong Han (CHN) started their comeback at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China Photo © ISU 

“There are a lot of reasons for us to come back,” Han, 33, said. “I felt the responsibility to come back to the competition. We also feel a lot of love and support from the audience, from the fans.”

 “I was aware of the difficult situation (of team China) in figure skating in this cycle,” Sui, 30, noted. “However, I came across a lot of difficulties when I first decided to come back. For example, Cong decided to retire, and I had to figure out how I could continue. That was a big problem to me, but I’m glad I’m back to the competition now. I want to enjoy that moment, each minute on the ice,” she continued.

Sui even had practiced with another partner to come back when Han was not available. But then in March earlier this year, Han made the decision to return and they started training together last spring. 

Overcoming difficulties

It was not easy. Han had to lose about 10 kilograms of weight and he stepped down from his teaching position at an university. He also was the appointed athlete on the ISU Technical Committee for Single and Pair Skating.   

Wenjing Sui/Cong Han (CHN) faced some difficulties on their comeback road Photo © ISU 

“I already had other jobs to do, so I had to give up some things,” he commented. “I had to get ready within a short term. It felt like something hard to accomplish. But deep down I knew there would be only few opportunities to compete again, so I really cherished these opportunities, did my best, focused on the present, challenged myself, and hopefully I will get a satisfying result.”

Sui completed her MA degree and started a PhD degree. “I love challenges,” she said, laughing when asked how she manages her studies and training. She remained involved in the sport all the time as well and choreographed programs for younger skaters.  

 “I wish I could come back earlier,” she said. “The time was so short for us. A month ago, we could only perform single elements. It was a huge improvement for us within a month, but I shouldered a huge mental pressure every day. I felt very nervous about our performance in real competitions.”

Competing again

At the Cup of China, Sui and Han impressed once again especially with their big throw jumps and other Pair Skating elements. However, the side by side jumps were not perfect yet and Han struggled with some lifts due to a shoulder injury. “We only did four complete-run throughs of our long program,” he explained. “Considering all that and the short time we had, it was a huge accomplishment.”

Wenjing Sui/Cong Han (CHN) wait for their Free Skating score at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China Photo © ISU 

 The other teams felt a lot of respect for Sui/Han. “It is an honor to share this table with these legends,” said Italian pair skater Niccolo Macii, who won silver in Chongqing with Sara Conti. “I was nervous to skate after Sui/Han in the Free Skating,” Conti admitted.

Sui and Han want to enjoy the unique thrill of competing, being out there against the best of the best, showing the best they can do. They worked with long-time choreographer Lori Nichol for their “Habanera” Short Program and their Free Skating to “Tapestry of a Legendary Land” that is based on a Chinese dance drama and the story of famous Chinese painter Ximeng Wang. 

“Figure skating is a good vehicle to show a lot of different cultures from all over the world,” said Sui, who contributed a lot to the choreography of the programs and chose the “Habanera” Short Program music.  

Aiming high

The 2022 Olympic Champions continue to leave their mark in their sport, inspire the next generation and they are aiming high, as always. 

Wenjing Sui/Cong Han (CHN) pose with their medals at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China Photo © ISU 

“I came across (2014 Olympic Ice Dance Champion) Charlie White (USA) at breakfast, and he said I should enjoy the competition now and skate out of my passion,” Han shared. “But to be honest, I still hope I can win medals like before. I carried this hope with me in the competition, but I felt the dissonance between my hope and my physical condition. I hope I can change my mindset gradually, and learn to truly enjoy the competition. We had won everything we could. We faced so many challenges after the comeback. We will take one step after another and move forward,” he pointed out.

“No athlete does not want to win,” Sui said about their goals for the Olympic Games. “We definitely aim for the gold medal. We didn’t expect we could recover so fast. We saw a lot of fans coming to watch us. That’s our motivation.”

 Watch Wenjing Sui/Cong Han take the ice again at the ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy  November 7 – 9 in Osaka (JPN).