Skating Worlds: Frenchman Adam Siao Him Fa ignites the public with an exceptional free program

A backflip, an impressive performance overflowing with energy: the Frenchman Adam Siao Him Fa, who had completely missed his short program two days earlier, ignited the audience at the World Skating Championships in Montreal on Saturday.

The reigning European champion, who arrived in Montreal full of hope but finished only 19th after the short program, was awarded 206.90 points for his performance on Saturday.

The Frenchman even took the risk of being penalized with several points by performing a spectacular backflip, an element that was nevertheless prohibited.

He was rewarded with a long ovation from the Canadian spectators, all standing to salute the performance and his audacity.

“I'm happy to have gotten my revenge from the short program, that's really what I wanted,” said the 23-year-old skater shortly after his performance when the competition was not yet over.

“I was really angry yesterday, frustrated after the short program. I wanted to end this season on a good note. It’s quite successful,” he added, speaking of the “best performance” of his life.

Siao Him Fa was one of the strong men of the season, notably with two Grand Prix victories and a second European champion title won with panache last January.

“Adam was very angry so we talked a lot and I tried to touch him,” explained his choreographer Benoît Richaud.

“I told him: It’s all in you. You just have to let him express himself. Believe in yourself and fight,” he said.

Referring to the backflip, the choreographer felt that it was necessary to “bring new elements”.

“We need to be able to give the skater a little freedom. We need to give them more space to create new things. The public is more crazy about that.”

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