It was called his “Redemp-CHEN” tour.
After a ‘pathetic’ performance in 2018, Nathan Chen is stepping onto the world stage in 2022. Chen has advanced to the second half of the men’s short show competition and he will be leading the charge with him. Then, after a world-record-setting performance.
The men’s short show continues! Watch Nathan Chen take down the ice at #Winter Olympic Games right here on Twitter. #WatchWithUS https://t.co/N7cbhS3Nly
– NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 8, 2022
It was a near-perfect performance by the 22-year-old from Salt Lake City, a show set to “La Bohème” by Charles Aznavour, consisting of two quadruple jumps and a triaxial jump .
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He achieved it! And he knows it!
HIGHEST SCORE EVER IN THE SHORT TERM PROGRAM FOR MEN.
NATHAN. CHEN.#WatchWithUS #Winter Olympic Games pic.twitter.com/7aOQQ6vdkM
– NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 8, 2022
113.97!
Incredible.
Here’s another look at Chen’s amazing performance.
SLOW MO-CHEN. 👑
Let’s enjoy.@nathanwchen #Winter Olympic Games pic.twitter.com/5aVrepDKiI
– NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 8, 2022
Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama scored the second-best 108.12 and Japan’s Shoma Uno followed with 105.90. After that, Chen talked about his record performance.
“I’m just excited.”@nathanwchen reacts with his record short show performance score of 113.97. #Winter Olympic Games pic.twitter.com/rQ3qDmre5K
– NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 8, 2022
“I’m excited,” Chen said in an interview with NBC. “Last Olympics, both short shows didn’t go the way I wanted and to finally have the opportunity to slide the shows the way I wanted – it feels really great. It means a lot. ”
The hen had been the golden favourite at the event, but now he could almost taste it.
In total, 24 skaters advanced to skate for free on Thursday at the Capital Indoor Stadium.
Chen’s main opponent entering Tuesday is Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu, a two-time Olympic champion looking for a chance to win three consecutive gold medals for the first time in nearly a century. Hanyu finished the event with a score of 95.15 after his skate slipped, missing a planned quad salchow. His score was just good enough for eighth place.
“I feel really shocked today,” said Hanyu, “but I have one more chance.”
Previous world record
Chen’s 113.97 topped Yuzuru Hanyu’s previous world record for 111.82.
When is Chen skating again?
Chen entered the freestyle skating rink on Thursday ready, confident and full of motivation. A silver medalist at the 2022 Olympics, Chen has won three world championships and six national championships against Beijing.
Time will tell whether he can bite that elusive gold medal.
