World Figure Skating Championships 2022 - Is Yuzuru Hanyu competing? Will Nathan Chen retain the title?

Nathan Chen will be the star attraction at the World Figure Skating Championships, with Russian athletes missing out and Yuzuru Hanyu absent. The Olympic champion set a world record in the short program on his way to winning gold in Beijing, and he will go to the event in France as the one to beat.

Ad/> The World Championships take place in Montpellier between March 21-27, with competition starting properly on March 23, with coverage across Eurosport and discovery+. Beijing 2022Chen and Hanyu feature in spectacular exhibition gala to conclude figure skating20/02/2022 AT 07:12 Will Yuzuru Hanyu be at the World Figure Skating Championships? Once again, Yuzuru Hanyu’s ankle has let him down and he will miss the World Figure Skating Championships.

Hanyu sprained his ankle before the free skate at the Winter Olympics, having already given himself a mountain to climb when he fell while attempting a quadruple axel in the short program. The Japanese legend’s right ankle has held him back for the majority of the last five years, leading to doubts about his future — though he has hinted he could return for Milan-Cortina in 2026.

There have been few chances for Hanyu’s adoring ‘Fanyus’ to see their man in action over the past few years, and the Winnie the Pooh cuddly toys they throw on to the ice for him will need to be stored away for a little longer yet. What can Nathan Chen achieve at the World Figure Skating Championships? Nathan Chen heads to the World Figure Skating Championships chasing a fourth title, having won the last three events in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

The American has already set a world record this year with his performance in the short program at the Winter Olympics and he cruised to victory in Beijing. The gold