In Yuzuru Hanyu’s storied career so far, he’s basically won everything - that is, every big competition except Four Continents. And at this week’s Four Continents Championships, he gets another chance to add that title to his resume. But it’s not just about Hanyu this week, the men’s event in Seoul is full of great skaters, veterans and newcomers alike. It’s going to be an exciting event.
And I’m not going to lie - I’m making a few bold predictions here.
Four Continents predictions
Official hashtag: #4ContsFigure
GOLD Yuzuru Hanyu JPN - Fourth time is very likely the charm for Hanyu. Without Nathan Chen or Shoma Uno in the field, Hanyu is the clear runaway favorite for his first Four Continents title. By now, many also know that he’s gone back to his Olympics programs for the rest of this season in an attempt to recenter himself and feel more at one with his programs. It would be a huge shock if Hanyu doesn’t win this week. You have to think that, after his subpar free skate at Nationals, a near-clean competition will be as important as rounding out his trophy collection.
SILVER Junhwan Cha KOR - I’m putting a lot of faith in Cha’s return to form, which we saw at Korean Nationals a month ago. Without the extra competition of the Grand Prix Final this season, Cha has been able to spend more of his time training and recovering from some of the injuries he has been dealing with. Two programs like he did at Korean Nationals puts him on the podium this week.
BRONZE Jason Brown USA - Do we get an all-Cricket podium? Brown may not have a consistent quad, but we are continuously reminded of the impeccable execution of his skating, especially when he goes clean. His US Nationals was one of the best competitions of his career, and the fact that he stood up a quad toe, albeit downgraded, has to have some positive mental impact for him going into 4CC. We’ve seen that higher-pressure situations, like qualifying for GPF this season, can play tricks on him. But Four Continents isn’t quite that, which may mean we will see more brilliance from Brown this week.
4. Yuma Kagiyama JPN - In a lot of ways, this prediction is a look to the future. Kagiyama is one of the bright, bright talents in Japanese skating, and he’s proven that he can put down incredible programs already. He’s coming off a win at the Youth Olympics and a bronze medal finish at the Japan Championships - and he did both of those on the heels of free skate comebacks. In his first huge international as a senior, he will need to make sure he doesn’t dig himself into a hole in the short program. If his triple axel fires well in Seoul this week, expect greatness from the youngster.
5. Tomoki Hiwatashi USA - This guy fools me time and time again. Just when I thought earlier in the season that he was ready to take the momentum he had from late last season into his first full senior season, he had a so-so fall season. And just when I thought he wasn’t quite ready for primetime, he hits again at Nationals and takes bronze. He’s in a great place right now, and with the potential craziness of this field, he could very well sneak in there for a top five finish.
6. Boyang Jin CHN - Fifth at Grand Prix Final, Jin has really had a rollercoaster season - two seasons, really. He hasn’t quite been the same skater since that disastrous free skate at 2018 Worlds, and while there’s a lot to like about what he can bring to the ice, his inconsistent showings this season make it tough to be bullish on him at any competition. Watch him prove me wrong.
7. Nam Nguyen CAN - In the battle for the sole Worlds spot for Canada, Nguyen is the likeliest to have the cleanest competition in Seoul. And that’s what it’s going to take - with him, Roman Sadovsky, and Keegan Messing, whoever puts down the most consistency will be the one who wins out.
8. Han Yan CHN - He’s back and we all love it. Yan grabbed silver at Cup of China, looking much like the skater who won three bronze medals at Four Continents years ago. Because he’s only had one event internationally this season, he’s a bit under the radar here.
9. Kazuki Tomono JPN - Without Uno in the field for Japan, Tomono got another shot at closing out his season well here. His free skate at Japan Nationals showed what he’s capable of, and he could be a surprise here this week.
10. Roman Sadovsky CAN - It’s been a season of firsts for Sadovsky - his first Grand Prix medal, his first Canadian medal of any kind (and it was gold!), and really, the first time he’s really felt like he is among the best in the world. What will be crucial for the new Canadian champ is to not get into his own head. He can be spectacular.