Uno Shoma is front-runner as men prepare for close-fought free skate: Preview
The reigning world champion had a bumpy week, but was smooth in the short program. Can Ilia Malinin, Cha Jun-hwan or any other contenders catch him? We preview Saturday's (25 March) long program.
Figure Skating
Not since Hanyu Yuzuru won inside the Saitama Super Arena in 2014 has a men's world title been captured in front of the champion's home fans.
Saturday night (25 March), Uno Shoma will try to achieve the same feat - in the very same arena.
Overcoming jumping problems and an ankle injury, the defending world champion and three-time Olympic medallist has a four-point lead heading into the free skate at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, which is back in Saitama, Japan, for a third time in 10 years.
"I really pushed myself to be motivated and in more of a fighting mode," Uno said of his short-program state of mind. "With that strong intent and mind I was able to deliver today, so that's why I felt more happy than usual."
Uno will have to corral that same energy in the free, with American teenager Ilia Malinin nipping at his skate boots: The 18-year-old scored a career-best 100.38 to stay within touching distance of Uno, who ticked off a 104.63 short.
But eight men in total are north of the 90-point mark after the short, setting up what could be a closely fought long program.
The final group of skaters are a who's who in men's skating: Uno and Malinin, as well as two-time Olympian Cha Jun-hwan of the Republic of Korea; Canada's Keegan Messing,skating in his final worlds - and fan favourites Kevin Aymoz of France and American veteran Jason Brown.
While Malinin will look to land another quad Axel in the free, he will have to shake off a shaky effort at the U.S. Championships in January, where he fell on the jump and doubled two other quad attempts.
Asked after the short program in Saitama how he felt going into the long program he replied, simply: "Prepared."
Men's free skate; Schedule (25 March)
The men's free skate is set to be the final competitive event of these championships on Saturday at the Saitama Super Arena. Times are JST. (GMT +9)
25 March - Ice dance free dance 12:30 JST
25 March - Men's free skate 17:30 JST
The last two groups feature the top skaters from the short program. The penultimate group begins at 1935 local, followed by the final group at 20:30.
See the full schedule here. Find out how to tune in to the action here.