Nathan Chen is leaving PyeongChang the place it belongs (a minimum of for him): prior to now. After posting a career-best quick program within the 2022 Olympics team event, Chen went and pushed even increased within the individual short program, scoring a surprising 113.97. That was sufficient to prime the standings, sure, however it additionally set a model new short-program world document, beating Yuzuru Hanyu’s earlier prime mark of 111.82. Protected to say Chen is rewriting his personal narrative, one routine at a time.
Chen nailed all three of his jumps, together with two quads, and glided via his choreographic sequences, wanting like his standard unflappable self. However when he hit the ultimate pose, he knew he’d carried out one thing particular. The usually stoic Chen let loose a fist pump, and when he obtained his record-breaking rating, briefly coated his face together with his palms. In a post-routine interview with NBC, the 22-year-old described his feelings as “elated.” After two disappointing quick packages on the 2018 Olympics, there is definitely one thing very satisfying about watching Chen declare redemption and carry out to his fullest potential.
With the quick packages now over, Chen has a cushion of greater than 5 factors over the second-place skater, Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama. Sitting in third is the defending silver medalist, Shoma Uno, additionally of Japan, whereas American Jason Brown is in sixth after posting his personal career-best quick program. Reigning Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu is in eighth after making an error on his first leaping go, but when we all know something about Olympic determine skating, it is that no lead is completely safe. With the free skate nonetheless to go, Chen will look to proceed his inspiring run in Beijing and produce dwelling the medal that eluded him in PyeongChang.
Preserve studying for clips and pictures of Chen’s historic routine and emotional response.
