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SINCENathan Chen has become world figure skating champion for the third time in a row. The American, who had not been defeated for three years, won the gold medal with 320.88 points after a phenomenal freestyle at the Stockholm World Championships, after finishing third in the short program.
Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu from Japan, who was leading after the short program, could not maintain his lead and had to settle for 289.18 points and third place at the Globen-Arena. Second place went to compatriot Yuma Kagiyama (291.77), who was only 17 years old.
Not only was the old and new champion the standout runner in terms of style, but he also impressed the judges with five clean quad jumps. Visibly relieved, the 21-year-old fell into the arms of his coach Rafael Arutiunian after the decision.
The medal decision was made without German participation after Berlin’s Paul Fentz missed qualifying for the freestyle final in 26th place after the short program. The 28-year-old was unable to secure a starting place for the men’s Olympic competition in Beijing in 2022 in the first attempt by the German Ice Skating Union (DEU). Six remaining places will still be awarded at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf at the end of September.
