SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Mikhail Shaidorov clinched the top spot in the free skate with a remarkable season-best score on Saturday, making history as the first skater from Kazakhstan to secure the Four Continents title since Denis Ten in 2015. Holding a commanding 12-point lead following the short program, Shaidorov put on an equally dazzling performance in the free skate, executing a total of four quadruple jumps to amass an impressive score of 190.37 points and secure an overall total of 285.10.
Trailing behind Shaidorov was Cha Jun-hwan of South Korea, who earned 265.02 points to claim the silver medal, closely followed by Jimmy Ma of the United States with 245.01 points. Shaidorov’s routine kicked off with a flawless triple axel, single Euler, and quad salchow combination, setting the stage for a truly remarkable performance. He further wowed the audience with a quad lutz and quad toe loop, later adding yet another quad toe-triple toe combination to solidify his lead.
Despite ranking fourth after the short program, Cha delivered a stunning free skate that captivated the home crowd, propelling him to the silver medal. The South Korean skater dazzled with a quadruple salchow to open his routine, although he stumbled on a quad toeloop, managing only a double instead. This minor setback did little to diminish his outstanding performance, ultimately securing him the silver medal and the title of the 2022 Four Continents champion.
Meanwhile, Ma, who had secured the second spot after the short program, encountered some challenges during his routine, falling on a triple loop early on and touching down on a triple axel. Despite these hurdles, Ma displayed resilience and composure throughout the rest of his performance, ultimately clinching the bronze medal with a solid overall showing.
The ice dance free dance event is scheduled for later on Saturday, with the competition set to conclude on Sunday with the highly anticipated women’s free skate.
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