Nathan Chen Wins Fourth Consecutive World Figure Skating Championship in Montreal
Nathan Chen made figure skating history on Tuesday night, winning his fourth consecutive World Figure Skating Championship with a technically brilliant and artistically stunning free skate performance at the Bell Centre in Montreal, becoming only the second man in the sport's history to capture four straight world titles.
The 26-year-old American was virtually flawless during his "Rocket Man" program, landing five quadruple jumps including a spectacular quad lutz-triple toe combination that earned thunderous applause from the capacity crowd of 21,000. Chen's total score of 330.43 points was a new world championship record, surpassing his own previous mark set in 2023.
"This feels surreal," Chen said through tears during his victory interview. "To win four world titles in a row was something I never imagined when I started skating. Each year gets more challenging because the pressure builds, but tonight everything just came together perfectly. I'm so grateful for all the support from my team, my family, and the skating community."
Japan's Yuma Kagiyama finished second with a personal-best score of 312.48, while France's Kevin Aymoz claimed the bronze medal on home ice with 298.77 points. The podium ceremony was an emotional affair, with Chen receiving a standing ovation as he was presented with his fourth consecutive gold medal.
Chen's dominance was built on his unmatched technical content and continued artistic growth, elements that have separated him from his competitors throughout this remarkable championship run. His combination of five quadruple jumps with Level 4 spins and footwork demonstrated the evolution of men's figure skating and his role as the sport's premier athlete.
The victory extends Chen's remarkable streak of major championship wins that began with his 2023 world title and has included three Olympic medals. His historic achievement places him alongside only Dick Button, who won five consecutive world titles from 1948-1952, in the pantheon of figure skating's greatest champions. As Chen contemplates his future in competitive skating, his fourth world championship serves as a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication to excellence in one of sport's most demanding disciplines.
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