Winter Olympics: Nathan Chen throws down gauntlet to Yuzuru Hanyu, nearly sets new world record in team event

US skater’s 111.71 score at Capital Indoor Stadium a tenth or so shy of Japanese rival’s world record

Chen, who fell over during short stake programme in Pyeongchang four years ago, is looking to lay ghosts of 2018 Games to rest

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Nathan Chen competes during the men’s singles short programme team event in the figure skating at the Winter Olympics. Photo: AP

Published: 12:44pm, 4 Feb 2022Updated: 2:22pm, 4 Feb 2022

Nathan Chen threw down the gauntlet to gold medal rival Yuzuru Hanyu at the Winter Olympics on Friday, skating a personal best and coming within a tenth of his Japanese opponent’s word record.

The pair are widely tipped to battle it out for gold in the men’s individual figure skating event, and Chen’s 111.71 in the team event was an early statement of intent.

Chen’s score, which beat his 2019-20 Grand Prix final score of 110.38, gave the United States the early lead as the figure skating competitions kicked off in Beijing at the Capital Indoor Stadium.

Nathan Chen celebrates after completing his short programme in the figure skating team event at the Capital Indoor Stadium. Photo: Kyodo

“I’m happy with the way that it went today,” Chen said. “And overall, my goal is just to enjoy this experience as much as I can. I already feel so honoured just to be able to be here at a second Olympics.

“As much as I can, I’m trying to remember everything and be able to have an experience that I can look back on and really enjoy.”

Hanyu, was not on the ice for Japan, but Shoma Uno duly delivered by also achieving his season’s best with 105.46 points thanks to controlled and well-checked landings.

“I was able to perform as I always do in practice. I couldn’t have asked for more,” Uno said.