Liu Yuxuan of China performs during the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
XI'AN, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Liu Yuxuan won silver, Jin Shuxian took bronze and Jin Chenxi finished fourth in the junior women's event as the ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 continued on Friday.
Individual Neutral Athlete Sofiia Dzepka won the event with 213.28 points after leading both the short program and free skate.
Liu, making her international debut, finished second with 189.57 despite a fall on her triple Lutz in the free skate, while Jin Shuxian climbed from eighth after the short program to third with 188.80. Jin Chenxi placed fourth with 183.94, giving China three skaters in the top four.
13-year-old Liu said she was pleased with her performance despite a mistake in the free skate and would continue to refine her footwork and overall program.
In the junior men's short program, Individual Neutral Athlete Lev Lazarev led with 86.76 points, followed by New Zealand's Li Yanhao and Canada's Grayson Long. China's Lu Boren was the top Chinese skater in sixth with 70.75 points.
In ice dance, Individual Neutral Athletes Mariia Fefelova and Artem Valov won with 162.16 points, ahead of Italy's Zoe Bianchi and Daniel Basile on 154.25 and Canada's Summer Homick and Nicholas Buelow on 143.68. China's Li Zhixuan and Ge Quanshuo placed seventh with 138.10.
"We did not set winning the title as our only goal. We just wanted to show our skills and let the judges make the decision," Valov said.
The competition continues Saturday with the junior men's free skating and pairs free skating. ■
Liu Yuxuan of China performs during the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Liu Yuxuan of China performs during the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Liu Yuxuan of China performs during the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Jin Shuxian of China performs during the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Jin Shuxian of China performs during the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Jin Shuxian of China reacts after the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Jin Shuxian of China performs during the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Jin Shuxian (C) of China waits for the result after the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Jin Shuxian (L) and Liu Yuxuan of China greet spectators after the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Jin Shuxian of China greets spectators after the free skating of junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Gold medalist Sofiia Dzepka (C) of AIN (Individual Neutral Athlete), silver medalist Liu Yuxuan (L) of China and bronze medalist Jin Shuxian of China pose for a photo during the awarding ceremony for junior women at ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Xi'an 2026 in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
