After a world-record performance in the men’s short program, the American Nathan Chen will attempt to maintain his lead and capture his first Olympic gold medal in figure skating’s individual competition, while his rival, Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan, has his eyes set on a comeback and a piece of history by landing the first quadruple axel in competition.
Chen’s short program score, 113.97, has him comfortably ahead of the field heading into the free skate on Thursday morning in Beijing (Wednesday night in the United States). The medal winners are determined by adding scores together for the short program and the free skate, also known as the long program.