Figure skating sensation Nathan Chen has made a historic win on Skate America by defeating his opponents with the largest margin ever.
The 2018 Skate America, held at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington on October 19–21, was the first event of six in the 2018–19 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.
Chen, who participated while on a fall recess from Yale freshman classes, achieved such an impressive feat over the weekend despite scaling back the quadruple jumps he is known for.
After attempting eight quads total at the Olympics in PyeongChang last month, the 19-year-old star athlete did only four quads in Washington.
Chen earned a total score of 280.57 points, leading by 41.06 points over his closest competitor Michal Březina (239.51) from the Czech Republic at the senior-level international invitational competition.
According to NBC, Chen’s lead is the largest gap in any discipline ever posted under the 16-year-old points system. of Skate America. It is also the world’s top score on the current season.
Vincent Zhou, who landed five quads between two programs, placed fifth at Skate America as he was dinged for several under-rotations.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Satoko Miyahara won the women’s portion of the event, with Kaori Sakamoto following in second, according to Japan Times.
With four Grand Prix series titles, under his belt, Chen is now tied with skaters Jeremy Abbott, Todd Eldredge, Johnny Weir who have achieved the same number of tiles.
As a college student separated from his coach Rafael Arutunian based in California, Chen is trying a new training arrangement by mainly using video chats to communicate.
Chen is set to return to the Grand Prix during Thanksgiving break via the Internationaux de France where he will be facing two-time world bronze medalist Jin Boyang of China and American Jason Brown.
Among his toughest competition at the Grand Prix Final in December will be Japanese Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu and silver medalist Shoma Uno.
Among his toughest competition at the Grand Prix Final in December will be Japanese Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu and silver medalist Shoma Uno.
Featured image via Instagram/nathanwchen
