It'll be the 'last dance' for the Chinese pairing of skating stars Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo when they compete in the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships.

 

 

 

"We'll retire after the event," Zhao told reporters on Monday ahead of the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

 

Zhao revealed he'd planned to quit after the Turin Winter Olympics but changed his mind after failing to win the Olympic gold. "I hope to end my career with another world title at Tokyo next March," said the 33-year-old.

 

He overcame a foot injury to win a bronze medal with Shen at the Turin Winter Olympics last February. They won the world titles in 2002 and 2003. They took the silver medal at the 2004 World Championships and withdrew from the 2005 event when Zhao was injured.  

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2006)