Shen Xue (R) and Zhao Hongbo [daqi.com]

The 2007 World Figure Skating Championships will be the last dance for Chinese star pairs skaters Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo.

"We will retire after the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships," Zhao told reporters on Monday ahead of the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix in Nanjing.

Zhao revealed that he had 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.

Zhao overcame a foot injury to win a bronze medal with Shen at the Turin Winter Olympics last February.

Shen and Zhao won the world titles in 2002 and 2003. They took the silver medal at the 2004 World Championships and withdrew from the 2005 event after Zhao injured his Achilles tendon. 
 
 
(Source: Chinaview.cn)