As one of the top up-and-coming skaters in the country, Richmond’s Wesley Chiu is finding out he could be going anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice.
The 14-year-old Connaught Skating Club standout is off to Italy where he will be representing Canada at a ISU Junior Grand Prix event. It will be his international debut at the junior men’s level following a spectacular 2018-19 season that included winning the Canadian Novice title.
Chiu was originally assigned to a Junior Grand Prix stop in Croatia then moved to the Halloween Cup in Romania. Skate Canada informed him of the Italy event on Wednesday, just four days prior to his departure.
Fortunately, he has transferred from Richmond Christian to Magee Secondary for his Grade 9 year ago to enroll in the school’s SPARTS program that provides flexible schedules for elite athletes.
“There is always stuff happening in the background (with Skate Canada) and you work with their alterations to get whatever opportunities are there,” said Chiu’s coach Keegan Murphy who is also heading to Europe. “As a coach and athlete all you can do is be ready. We just sort of say ‘we will be ready and just let us know.’
“It’s a huge testament to Wesley’s work ethic and his huge dedication to the sport. Someone as young as him with changes in his life, including a new school now. The fact he just comes to the rink everyday and be in this tunnel vision with his preparation is remarkable. I’m so happy to see he is reaping the benefits of that.”
Up against a world class field of about 35 skaters for the first time in juniors, the expectations won’t be high. The trip is part of a two-year process at this level.
“I earned this spot from what Skate Canada saw of me earlier (including silver at B.C. Summer Skate). “What I do at Sectionals, Challenge and Nationals is going to determine what happens next for me (for international assignments).”
Chiu was in full costume for his training session at Minoru Arenas last Thursday and also performed during the intermission of the Richmond Sockeyes game next door.
“You are going to see more triple triple (jump combinations) from me and later this season a triple axel and a quad,” added Chiu.
