Nathan
Chen of Team USA has set a new world record in the men’s singles figure skating
event after the short programme of the Winter Olympics concluded at the Capital Indoor Stadium in
Beijing on Tuesday. Chen notched 113.97 points, which is a world record.

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Japan’s
Yuma Kagiyama and Shoma Uno dominated the second and third spots. While
Kagiyama notched 108.12 points, Shoma occupied the third spot with 105.90
points.

Uno,
Kagiyama and Chen each broke the season’s short programme record, with Kagiyama
and Chen breaking the world record within ten minutes of being on the ice.
However, it was Chen who left with rink with both accolades at the end of the
event.

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“I
was just elated,” said Chen after his record-breaking short programme performance. He
scored 113.97 points to break the previous mark put down by longtime rival
Yuzuru Hanyu.

China’s
Jin Boyang scored 90.98 points, dancing to a mixed original soundtrack of
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and landing two quadruple jumps of
the Lutz and Toe loop, respectively.

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Despite
a slightly flawed landing on his Axel, Jin concluded in 11th place after
Tuesday’s competition.

His
fine performance in the short programme guaranteed him an ideal start order in
the free skate phase, which will occur on Thursday. Having placed fourth in
PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Jin is focused on pursuing an Olympic medal in
Beijing.

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Japan’s
“ice prince” Yuzuru Hanyu finished eighth in the men’s single figure
skating short program with 95.15 points.

The
hopes of figure skating fans were dashed, as he did not attempt the elusive and
highly technical quadruple Axel (4A) on the ice. Hanyu, 27, became the first
figure skater ever to conquer the 4A in December 2021, before the All-Japan
Figure Skating Championships.

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For
the two-time Olympic champion, a clean 4A finish at the Olympics is equally
important as defending his title in Beijing.