Chen wins 3rd straight worlds, beating Olympic champ Hanyu
STOCKHOLM — Nathan Chen already has established himself as one of America’s greatest figure skaters. His performance Saturday lifted him into the company of history’s best worldwide.
In becoming the first American since Scott Hamilton to win a third consecutive World Figure Skating Championships men’s title, the 21-year-old Chen also outskated two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan. And Chen believes he has been — and can be — even better.
“I wouldn’t say this is my best free program ever,” he said. “But it’s one I will definitely remember forever and cherish, being able to skate like that and skate this piece here at worlds.”
Russia completed its medals run when Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov took the ice dance gold. Anna Shcherbakova won the women’s competition, and Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov earned pairs gold.
Chen was dynamic in easily surpassing short program winner Hanyu and stamp himself as the man to beat at next year’s Beijing Olympics. Hanyu struggled mightily Saturday and fell to third place behind 17-year-old countryman Yuma Kagiyama, who took silver in his first senior worlds.
“The fact I’m able to be here at this world championships after this unprecedented year, it’s amazing.
I’m elated right now,” Chen said. “I just tried to really remind myself to enjoy being here. I don’t know how many more world championships I’ll get to be at. Doing that, I was able to be a lot more calm.”
Last year’s event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
GOLF
AUSTIN, Texas — Brian Harman appeared headed for an early loss when he fell 4 down to Bubba Watson through five holes. Eight straight birdies later, Harman turned out a 2-and-1 victory to reach the quarterfinals of the Dell Technologies Match Play.
Jordan Spieth won’t be joining him.
Advancing to the weekend for the first time in five years at Austin Country Club, Spieth never trailed until Matt Kuchar beat him in what amounted to a short-game contest on the 18th hole for a 1-up victory.
That was the only match to reach the 18th hole in the fourth round Saturday morning.
HORSE RACING
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Known Agenda ran away from the field in the Florida Derby, and might keep on going all the way to Churchill Downs to start the Triple Crown season.