Yao wipes Fang's nose during a break in training at a rink in Beijing on Nov 6. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

Fang Zaien, 6, is looking to follow in the footsteps of his mom－national figure skating champion Yao Jia

On a skating rink at a recreational center in Beijing's Olympic Forest Park, dozens of children glide, jump and spin. Fang Zaien is the shortest and, comparatively, the most clumsy among them.

Fang, 6, began figure skating when he was 4 and has already passed the international level one test for the sport.

His mother, Yao Jia, said that few boys choose figure skating, but he was inspired by her, as she was a national figure skating champion in 1999 and competed in many international competitions.

She is now tournament director for the figure skating events at the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, responsible for event organization and coordination during the Games.

Fang practices on a skating rink in Beijing on Nov 6. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

Yao also started figure skating when she was 4.

"I feel it's my son's destiny to skate," she said. "I was also able to uncover his talent for the sport."

She drives about 60 kilometers across the city to take Fang to training sessions three times a week.

Because figure skating is a combination of sports and art, Fang is also playing the drums and is studying music.

With the Games approaching, more Chinese youngsters are taking part in winter sports, Yao said, adding that she hopes her son will contribute to the national development of such sports in the future.

The mother helps her son take off his skates at the park on Dec 12. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

Yao Jia watches her son, Fang Zaien, practice roller skating at a park in Beijing on Dec 12. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

Yao helps Fang choose a pair of roller skates at a shopping center in Beijing on Dec 10. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

Fang's grandmother picks him up from kindergarten before bringing him to a music class on Dec 10. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

Fang plays a drum kit during a music class on Dec 10. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

Yao teaches Fang how to write Chinese characters at their home on Dec 10. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]