2022 Winter Olympics: Men’s Individual Event Preview

Better late than never…? The men’s individual event at the 2022 Olympic starts today! Here’s an overview of some of the top contenders, as well as some fan favorites!

Note: Unfortunately, Vincent Zhou (USA) withdrew from the event due to a positive COVID-19 test.

See also: 2022 Winter Olympics Info & Streaming for how to watch the event

Nathan Chen (USA)

• Age: 22

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 111.71, FS - 200.46, Total - 307.18

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 111.71, FS - 224.92, Total - 335.30 

• Programs: SP - La boheme; FS - Rocketman

Nathan Chen is the 3-time and reigning World Champion, and current world record holder for both the free skate and combined total scores (Yuzuru Hanyu currently holds the short program record). After four years of growth, he’s ready to reclaim the Olympics as an experience for himself. He looked fully in command in the Team Event short program, where he earned a personal best in the segment, worlds away from his nervy skates in 2018.

Nathan’s short program to Charles Aznavour’s La boheme has the most difficult jump layout in the world, with a quad flip and backloaded quad lutz-triple toe combination. He regularly includes 4 or 5 quads in his free program to Elton John’s Rocketman. His base value and consistency make him the favorite for gold in the men’s event, with some extra room for error, but his main fight will be with himself.

Yuzuru Hanyu (Japan)

• Age: 27

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: Did not compete internationally

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 111.82, FS - 212.99, Total - 322.59 

• Programs: SP - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso; FS - Ten to Chi to

The man of the hour when it comes to figure skating—and truly, when it comes to figure skating, he's the man of the decade. Two-time and reigning Olympic Champion Yuzuru Hanyu heads into his third Olympics as one of the favorites for the podium. For the past few seasons, his number one goal has been to land the quadruple axel, a jump that no one has ever landed before in competition. It will be the first jump in his free program to the music Ten to Chi to (Heaven and Earth (and)). He first attempted the jump at the Japanese National Championships this season, where he landed it on two feet and half a rotation short. Although the risk of the quad axel and his lower base value overall will make it hard to catch a perfect Nathan Chen, never count Yuzuru Hanyu out.

During this event, watch for his incredible transitions in and out of jumps, especially in his jam-packed short program to Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. Yuzuru’s biggest strengths are the quality of his elements, which can earn massive Grades of Execution, and his musicality and charisma. Keep your ears out too, for little touches in the choreography that accentuate the musical notes in the program.

Shoma Uno (Japan)

• Age: 24

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 105.46, FS - 187.57, Total - 290.15

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 105.46, FS - 197.36, Total - 290.15 

• Programs: SP - Oboe Concerto; FS - Bolero

The first skater to land a quad flip in competition, Shoma Uno has undergone some serious changes in his training situation since he won his silver medal at the Pyeongchang Olympics. After leaving his longtime Japanese coaches, Shoma went through a slump before finding himself with his new coach Stephane Lambiel. He has steadily made his way back up in the last couple of seasons, and is once again a contender for an Olympic medal.

In the Team Event short program, Shoma set a new personal best in the segment with a clean program to some rare classical music - Oboe Concerto by Marcello and Concerto in C Minor for Cello by Vivaldi. He will attempt 5 quads in his free skate to a remix of Maurice Ravel’s Bolero. Shoma has not skated this layout clean in competition for several years, but if he hits, he might well find himself on the Olympic podium for the second time.

Yuma Kagiyama (Japan)

• Age: 18

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 100.64, FS - 208.94, Total - 286.41

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 100.96, FS - 208.94, Total - 291.77

• Programs: SP - When You’re Smiling; FS - Gladiator

Japan’s latest sensation, Yuma Kagiyama will be competing at his first Olympics at just 18 years old. He burst onto the senior scene last season with a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships. He is coached by his father, Masakazu Kagiyama, a 1992 and 1994 Olympian.

Yuma has gorgeous basic skating skills and jump technique. With his Gladiator free skate, Yuma won the men’s free skate portion of the Team Event with a personal best score, helping Team Japan to a bronze medal. He has recently added the quad loop to his free skate. If he hits, and depending on how the other skaters fare, Yuma has a good chance at earning an individual Olympic medal as well.

Mark Kondratiuk (ROC)

• Age: 18

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 99.06, FS - 187.50, Total 286.56 

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 99.06, FS - 187.50, Total 286.56 

• Programs: SP - Magnificent Century; FS - Jesus Christ Superstar

A couple of seasons ago, very few people knew who Mark Kondratiuk was - now he’s the reigning Russian National Champion, European Champion, and recently helped Team ROC win the gold medal at the Olympic Team Event.

An artist off the ice, and an Artist on the ice, Mark’s main draw is his obvious passion for performing and his complete commitment to his programs. You should definitely watch his free skate to Jesus Christ Superstar. Two good skates and his momentum from this season could put him in the top 5 in the men’s individual event.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

Junhwan Cha (South Korea)

Korean skating absolutely lives for the legacy of Yuna Kim, but Junwhan Cha is forging his own path as South Korea’s top man of the last few years. This is his second Olympics, and he is coming in as the reigning Four Continents Champion. He will skate to his striking Fate of the Clockmaker program in the short, and the operatic Turandot by Puccini in the free program.

Jason Brown (USA)

A fan favorite and for good reason, Jason Brown may never land multiple quads, but the quality in the rest of his skating more than makes up for it for the average viewer. His skating skills, spins, flexibility, and attention to music will be on display in his scintillating Sinnerman short program and touching Schindler’s List free skate.

Boyang Jin (China)

Boyang Jin, in what can only be called the figure skating equivalent of an arms race, was one of the first to push the frontier of how many quads a skater could land in one program. He was the first man to land the incredibly difficult quad lutz-triple toe loop combination, and his quad lutz is a sight to behold when he lands it. Boyang has struggled with consistency the last few seasons, but he has improved his presentation skills with various types of programs. He will skate to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in the short program, and Bolero in the free skate.

Donovan Carrillo (Mexico)

One of Mexico’s flagbearers at the opening ceremony and crowd favorite, Donovan Carrillo has been on a long journey to be Mexico’s first figure skating entry at the Winter Olympics in 30 years. Personally, we’re rooting for him to qualify for the free skate! In the short program, he will skate to Black Magic Woman & Shake It by Carlos Santana, and guaranteed, you’ll want to get out of your seat and dance with him. Watch this documentary on the Olympic Channel for a glimpse of his training and background!

We ran out of room to include them, but keep an eye out for these skaters as well!

Michal Brezina (CZE), Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA), Evgeni Semenenko (ROC), Kevin Aymoz (FRA), Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT), Andrei Mozalev (ROC), Matteo Rizzo (ITA), Daniel Grassl (ITA), Keegan Messing (CAN)