On the French side, the chances of medals rest mainly on the shoulders of Adam Siao Him Fa, new European champion.

. Men: Uno for a double

Long in the shadow of icons Yuzuru Hanyu and Nathan Chen, who bowed out last year, Shoma Uno leaves with the label of favorite even if he himself admits Tuesday "doubting" his ability to retain his title because of his current difficulties to pass his jumps.

"I feel like it's not going to get better unless something important happens. I don't know what I can expect as it stands," the 25-year-old Japanese said.

After winning his first world title last March, he added to his list of achievements this season with a first Grand Prix final in December.

Behind Uno, a small group of title contenders emerges led by American Ilia Malinin, who is playing his first senior season at 18, and who caused a sensation this season by becoming the first skater to land a quadruple axel in competition.

"I like to attract attention," Malinin said, significantly more confident than Uno. "It boosts my motivation and gives me energy," added the skater who has dubbed himself +QuadGod+.

Also joining the race for the podium are Canada's Keegan Messing, American Jason Brown or Frenchman Adam Siao Him Fa, crowned European champion last January, even if the latter said that a medal was not his "primary objective".

. Women: Sakamoto for a rematch

Japan can also aim for gold in the women's category where Kaori Sakamoto will try to retain her title.

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto during the ISU Grand Prix Final free program in Turin, Italy, December 10, 2022 © Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP

Sakamoto edged out Belgium's Loena Hendrickx and American Alysa Liu in Montpellier last year to add the world crown to her Olympic bronze medal in Beijing.

"The best revenge for me would be to do a perfect short program and free program and get on the top step of the podium at the end," Sakamoto said after a difficult start to the season. The 22-year-old finished fifth at the 2019 Saitama Worlds, which were held in the same rink.

Her compatriots Mai Mihara and Rinka Watanabe are expected to challenge for the title, while Loena Hendrickx and Georgian Anastasiia Gubanova, recent European champions, can also take part in the fight for a medal.

. Couples: Miura and Kihara for a first

On the pairs side, the competition should result in a duel between the reigning world champions, Americans Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, and their runners-up Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara.

Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara at the Four Continents Exhibition Gala in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, February 12, 2023 © Geoff Robins / AFP

The Japanese pair narrowly defeated the Americans in the final of the Turin Grand Prix before winning the Four Continents Championship. If they win, they would give their country a first world title in the category.

"The win in the Grand Prix final gave us a lot of confidence," Miura said. "But we are still far from being at our best. I hope we can conclude the season at the Worlds by making history."

. Ice dance: Gilles-Poirier and Chock-Bates for a duel

In the absence of French Olympic champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, the ice dance competition is expected to feature a North American duel between Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier and Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier in action during the ISU Grand Prix Final Exhibition Gala in Turin, Italy, December 11, 2022 © Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP

The Canadians dominated the first half of the season and the Grand Prix final, but then missed their National Championships and Four Continents due to appendicitis surgery for Gilles.

Conversely, Chock and Bates had a slow start to the post-Olympic season but regained momentum by winning a third consecutive Four Continents title.

Program of the World Figure Skating Championships, March 22-25 in Saitama (Japan):

. Wednesday, March 22

(03:00 CEST) Couples: short program

(07:50) Women: short programme

. Thursday, March 23

(03h00) Couples: free program

(07:50) Men: short program

. Friday, March 24

(03h00) Ice dance: rhythmic program

(10:20) Women: free program

. Saturday, March 25

(05h30) Ice dance: free program

(10:20) Men: free program

The French in the running

. Men: Adam Siao Him Fa, Kevin Aymoz

. Women: Lorine Schild

. Couples: Camille Kovalev-Pavel Kovalev, Oxana Vouillamoz-Flavien Giniaux

. Ice dance: Loïcia Demougeot-Théo Le Mercer, Marie Dupayage-Thomas Nabais, Evgeniia Lopareva-Geoffrey Brissaud

© 2023 AFP