A new edition of the epic duel between two-time Olympic and ISU World Figure Skating Champion Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) and two-time ISU World Figure Skating Champion Nathan Chen (USA) highlights the Men’s event at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Stockholm (SWE). However, several strong contenders are prepared to enter the battle of the quad kings.
Overview of the top contenders
Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)
Hanyu only competed once this season at the National Championships of Japan in December, but came out all guns blazing in Nagano and skated off with his fifth National title.
Chen won the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and National Championships with strong performances and proved in those events that he is still at the top of his game as well.
Vincent Zhou (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)
While both men are the top favorites for Stockholm, a group of strong competitors is looking to challenge the leaders. 2019 ISU World Figure Skating bronze medalist Vincent Zhou (USA) did not compete in the past season, but he is back as he made clear at Guaranteed Rate Skate America and the U.S. Championships. The same goes for 2018 ISU World Figure Skating bronze medalist Mikhail Kolyada (FSR), who missed the past season due to health problems and celebrated a strong comeback this season by winning each competition he entered including the National Championship, the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating - Rostelecom Cup and the Challenge Cup in The Hague. Two-time ISU World Figure Skaitng bronze medalist Boyang Jin (CHN), 2018 Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno (JPN) and rising star, Youth Olympic Games Champion Yuma Kagiyama (JPN), are in the mix as well.
Others to watch include 2019 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final bronze medalist Kevin Aymoz (FRA), Jason Brown (USA), Daniel Grassl (ITA), Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT) and Junhwan Cha (KOR).
Junhwan Cha (KOR) at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2020 were cancelled because of the pandemic. With Chen, Hanyu and Zhou, all three 2019 ISU World medalists are back in action in Stockholm – plus a few other World medalists, which makes the field very competitive.
A total of 34 Men representing 27 ISU Members have been entered for the event.
Daniel Grassl (ITA) at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)
Following a ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), Russian athletes compete not under Russia (RUS), but under “FSR”.
Skaters/couples need to have obtained a minimum total technical score in Short Program and Free Skating in order to compete at the ISU World Championships. Due to the limited possibilities to compete during the ongoing pandemic, the ISU has adapted the rules for obtaining the minimum score. For more details, see ISU Communication 2370.
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships serve as well as the main Olympic qualifying event. A maximum of twenty-four spots (out of 30 in total) are on the line in the Ladies and Men’s Singles events, a maximum of 16 (out of 19) entries in the Pairs and a maximum of 19 (out of 23) entries will be determined in the Ice Dance event. See OWG2022 Qualification system.
Prize Money
The ISU awards a global prize money of US$ 886,000 at the ISU World Championships to skaters/couples placed 1st to 6th. The prize money is awarded to winners and placed skaters/couples as follows:
Men and Ladies Pairs and Dance (per couple)
1st place US$ 64,000 1st place US$ 90,000
2nd place US$ 47,000 2nd place US$ 65,500
3rd place US$ 33,000 3rd place US$ 45,000
4th place US$ 19,000 4th place US$ 26,000
5th place US$ 11,000 5th place US$ 16,000
6th place US$ 8,000 6th place US$ 10,000
Event Schedule
The schedule of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021 is as follows:
Wednesday, March 24: Ladies and Pairs Short Programs, Opening Ceremony
Thursday, March 25: Men’s Short Program, Pairs Free Skating
Friday, March 26: Rhythm Dance, Ladies Free Skating
Saturday, March 27: Men Free Skating, Free Dance
Sunday, March 28: Exhibition Gala
For more information, full entry lists and results please see the ISU website and the official event website. Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldFigure and #FigureSkating.
Where to watch and follow the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021?
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.
Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.
Stay connected with the ISU Social Media:
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IG: @ISUFigureSkating
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Twitter: @ISU_Figure
Follow the conversation with #WorldFigure and #FigureSkating.
