Paris (AFP)
Reigning two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu took a clear advantage over outgoing two-time world champion Nathan Chen, only third after the short program at the World Figure Skating Championships on Thursday in Stockholm.
Hanyu, whom the pandemic forced to train alone and who had not been seen in international competition for more than a year, signed a very convincing performance for his return on the international scene, rewarded with 106.98 points.
Chen, who appeared on the Swedish ice after his Japanese rival, fell on his first quadruple jump, and recorded just 98.85 points, more than eight points less than Hanyu.
A gap that allowed the young and amazing Japanese Yuma Kagiyama, only 17 years old and crowned Youth Olympic champion in 2020, to invite himself between the two stars of the moment by making his personal best jump beyond one hundred points.
Precisely 100.96 points (against 91.61 previously), at the end of an impeccable short program, full of liveliness and fluidity.
Hands clasped in front of his face, Kagiyama greeted his score in an explosion of joy, clenched fists and laughing eyes.
Kevin Aymoz, who is aiming for at least a top 10 to win two Olympic quotas for France for the Beijing Games, is in ninth position, with 88.24 points.
"I took my revenge on the European Championships", of which he was only ranked 26th in January 2020 after a nightmarish short program, rejoiced the French skater.
Less than a year before the Olympics-2022, Hanyu like Chen are looking for a third world title.
The free program is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
© 2021 AFP