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Richmond skater William Chan wins silver in national championships

Connaught Skating Club athlete beats 40 skaters in Pre-Novice Men event at Skate Canada Challenge
William Chan Connaught Skating Club
William Chan (left) with this National medal and his coach Eileen Murphy.

A young Richmond skater returned home from Regina this week holding his silver medal as proof of his title as a national medalist.

William Chan,12, of Richmond’s Connaught Skating Club captured second place out of 40 skaters in the Pre-Novice Men category during the 2022 Skate Canada Challenge.

The young athlete said he was shocked when results were announced after observing his other competitors who performed “similar elements” as his routine.

“I realized from this competition that program components are crucial for points. A lot of people in the Pre-Novice event (could) execute double axels immaculately,” said Chan.

“The difference in reaching a podium position came from my presentation and skating skills.”

Winning second place is an amazing experience for Chan, however, he said his growth these past months is what he was most pleased with.

“Seeing second on the monitor made me happy but the vast improvement from my Autumn Leaves Competition in October is what made me the most proud,” said Chan.

“For my next season, I’m looking forward to perform my first ever novice competition and possibly land my first ever triple jumps consistently in competition.

“I am thankful to my coaches and choreographers for helping me become such a well-rounded skater.”

Chan is the third skater from the Connaught Skating Club who received the silver medal at the Pre-Novice Nationals during the Skate Canada Challenge. Wesley Chiu and David Li won the same medal in 2017 and 2019 respectively.