New Zealand Names First Ever Figure Skater for Winter Youth Olympic Games

Yanhao (Dwayne) Li has made history, becoming the first ever New Zealand ice figure skater to be selected for the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

The Auckland based 15-year-old has been named to the New Zealand Team for the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games and will be one of just 18-male figure skaters to compete in the individual men’s event.

“I’m really happy to get the opportunity to represent New Zealand,” said Dwayne.

“I’m hoping to perform to the best of my ability and showcase all I’ve been training hard for.”

Li was born in Beijing, China where he began skating aged four before his family immigrated to New Zealand when he was aged eight.

Now based in Auckland, he splits his time between school at Macleans College and the Paradice Ice Rinks where he spends more than 12 hours a week on ice.

“I love the feeling of weightlessness when I’m jumping on ice. I really enjoy rush of wind when picking up speed.

“This sport has given me a lot of opportunities to travel the world which I love and I’d like to thank my coach, parents, skating rink, and New Zealand Ice Figure Skating for all the work they’ve done to help get me to this point.”

Li recently became the first New Zealander to win an international figure skating medal, taking bronze at the Junior Grand Prix in Bangkok in August 2023.

He’s well known for his Biellmann spin – a difficult variation of an upright spin where the skater grabs their foot and pulls it above their head.

NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol extended her congratulations to Li.

“We’re really pleased to have Dwayne named to our team and are looking forward to seeing him on the ice in January and February next year,” said Nicol.

“Dwayne is an inspiration to New Zealand’s figure skating community and his selection is a testament to his hard work and dedication.”

Dwayne is coached by Bess Cao.
 

Yanhao (Dwayne) Li bio:

Yanhao first stepped onto the ice when he was four years old in Beijing, China. Yanhao's family immigrated to New Zealand in 2017. He trains at Paradice Ice Skating in Auckland.

After competing domestically for many seasons, Yanhao’s international debut came at the SEA Open Trophy in the 2022/2023 season, where he came 2nd in the junior men category, his first international medal. His results qualified him for the 2023 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, where he finished in 26th place as the youngest male competitor in the event. He ended his season with a 1st place finish at Oceania International and Hollins International Trophy.

In the 2023/2024 season, Yanhao claimed the bronze medal in ISU Junior Grand Prix in Bangkok, where he became the first New Zealander to win an ISU Junior Grand Prix medal. Alongside his 5th place finish in the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Osaka, Yanhao was able to claim a quota spot for New Zealand in figure skating at Gangwon 2024, the first New Zealander to ever do so. He will compete in Figure Skating at Gangwon 2024.