Seoul, Korea

#4ContsFigure      #FigureSkating

Two-time Olympic Champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan soared to a confident lead in the Men’s Short Program at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul (KOR) on Friday, setting a record score en route. China’s Boyang Jin came second followed by Jason Brown (USA) in what was a high-level competition.

Performing to “Ballade No.1” by Chopin, Hanyu nailed a quadruple Salchow, a quad toe-triple toe, an effortless triple Axel and collected a level four for his exquisite footwork and the three spins.

Yuzuru Hanyu JPN

Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) | 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)

The 2019 World silver medalist set a new highest score of 111.82 points.

“I think I skated with elegance today and today’s performance was the most perfect performance I’ve ever done,” Hanyu said.

“Also, I tried to express my music deeply with my feeling and I could jump higher and with more perfection. Actually, I set as a goal a score higher than 110 for myself. I grew confident during the performance because I felt so good while I skated.”

Jin’s program to “First Light” featured a quad Lutz-triple toe combination, a quad toe and a somewhat shaky triple Axel as well as level-four spins and steps. The two-time World bronze medalist picked up 95.83 points.

Boyang Jin CHN

Boyang Jin (CHN) | 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)

“Overall my performance was OK but it could have been better,” the 2019 Four Continents silver medalist said. “The quad Lutz and the triple Axel were not as good as they could have been and I hope to do better.

“My goal is to take another medal here. I have been practicing really well and I want to perform as well as I can do in practice and meet my goal.”

Brown landed a triple flip, triple Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe in his routine to “I Can’t Go On Without You” to post a season’s best of 94.71 points.

“Breaking my season’s best was my goal coming into Four Continents. As the season goes on you always want to improve your score,” the 2018 Four Continents bronze medalist commented.

“I’ve had a rough early start of the season. To be able to really learn from those events and come out and do a strong program at this Four Continents Championship makes me really proud of that.”

Jason Brown USA

Jason Brown (USA) | 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)

Keegan Messing (CAN) is within striking distance of the podium in fourth place at 94.03 points. 2020 Youth Olympic Games Champion Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) came fifth on 91.61 points and Junhwan Cha placed sixth (90.37 points).

For full results, click here