Which man is most likely to win Worlds?

[missing]

I think the men's competition is the most exciting at Worlds 2018 because I think it's the most predicative of the next four years. And I have no idea how the likeliest medalists will line up.

So I'll let you guide me with this poll.

 

[Dobre]

The one who delivers.

 

[Vash01]

The one who delivers.

Duh.

I think the three in this poll will be on the podium.

Chen will have learned from his Olympic experience, so he will skate a clean SP and a nearly clean LP and win the gold.

Jin will skate great again, but not completely clean in the LP, and he will finish a close second.

Uno will feel exhausted from his Olympic experience. The pressure of the Olympic silver will get to him and he will make mistakes. He will win the bronze.

 

[Skittl1321]

Is Nathan Chen from the Olympic long program or Nathan Chen from the Olympic short program showing up?

I chose Shoma, because Nathan is just too inconsistent under pressure.

 

[lala]

Nathan

 

[BittyBug]

I didn't vote because it seems like any of those three could take the title, or it could be someone else (Aliev or Kolyada if either manages to skate clean).

Uno would seem to be the favorite since he has come closest to winning, but he has always been a bit of an underdog - will he be able to carry the weight of Japan's expectations alone?

Jin could absolutely harness the Force and take it all but he would have to skate two almost flawless performances to do so.

Chen has demonstrated that he has the ability to win by absolutely crushing the field in the free skate at the Olympics, but that was skating as someone in 17th place with nothing to lose. Like Uno, I think he will be under a lot of pressure.

To me the dark horses are Aliev and Kolyada - both have the content and skating skills to challenge for the podium and possibly the top spot depending on how everyone else does.

But if everyone goes clean it should be Chen due to his tech advantage.

No matter what, the competition should be exciting, even though so many skaters have dropped out, which speaks to the depth in the men's field.

 

[caseyedwards]

Aliev ?

 

[misskarne]

I'm rooting for World Champion Boyang.

The meltdown on the boards would be spectacular.

 

[shady82]

I'm rooting for Chen but would LOVE for Kolyada to deliver as well.

 

[screech]

My preference from the 3 favourites would be 1. Boyang, 2. Uno, 3. Chen, but I predict the order will be reversed.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

My preference would be 1. Boyang, 2. Uno, 3. Chen, but I predict the order will be reversed.

That's my prediction as well. Although Kolyada could fall 20 times and they will still have him in third or forth

 

[Fiero425]

That's my prediction as well. Although Kolyada could fall 20 times and they will still have him in third or forth

Putin's influence has even found the judges of FS Championships!

 

[SmallFairy]

Some teenager will be world champion, I'm so excited! The podium will be so much fun, no matter what, can't wait for the victory ceremony

Of course, they could all implode and Bychenko will walk away with it. Not that I mind

 

[Firedancer]

Nathan...I think he will have learned from his Olympic experience and will be even more driven by it.

 

[Vash01]

My preference from the 3 favourites would be 1. Boyang, 2. Uno, 3. Chen, but I predict the order will be reversed.

Me too.

 

[missing]

Jackie Wong is interested in the exact same topic.

 

[mag]

I predict that quad kings will all have an off night and Keegan Messing will skate two Clean, brilliant programs and take the gold home for Canada. Now all you naysayers can just leave me in my happy place

 

[skateboy]

Some teenager will be world champion, I'm so excited!

Assuming you mean Nathan, Shoma or Boyang... Nathan is the only teenager of the group.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

At this rate with so many fatigue - related withdrawals, I wouldn't be surprised if some guy from Obscuristhan took the title.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Jackie Wong is interested in the exact same topic.

From memory, Jackie predicted gold for Nathan in PyeongChang, too.

 

[Fiero425]

From memory, Jackie predicted gold for Nathan in PyeongChang, too.

Don't they get little gold medals for winning the SP and LP? Nathan certainly won the LP!

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Don't they get little gold medals for winning the SP and LP? Nathan certainly won the LP!

Don't quote me, but I think little medals are only awarded at ISU championship events (Europeans, Four Continents, and Worlds).

 

[Marco]

Nathan under-performed at both 2017 Worlds and 2018 Olympics. When it comes to the big big international comps, I don't know whether it is something in his head or that people around him like to force him to switch elements around, or both, but I just don't feel confident that he can pull it off.

My bet is on Shoma.

 

[SmallFairy]

Assuming you mean Nathan, Shoma or Boyang... Nathan is the only teenager of the group.

Haha you're right. But to me they're still the teenagers Promise to catch up after this season. And there's always Aliev...

 

[screech]

I predict that quad kings will all have an off night and Keegan Messing will skate two Clean, brilliant programs and take the gold home for Canada. Now all you naysayers can just leave me in my happy place

I do think that if he skates like he's capable, he absolutely deserves to be in the top 5.

 

[DreamSkates]

Who is the most hungry for gold? My guess is Chen. He learned a great deal from the Olympics. Even though in the moment he had nothing to lose, his LP point total could be what sends him to another level of confidence, that the CAN handle the big stage.

Raf said (I don't have the link from the interview) that Chen called him early on the morning of the short program to tell his coach what quads he was going to put into his short program. Raf had advised him to do certain ones, as in practice. He knew what the pressure would be, and he knew Chen couldn't handle it and would not do well. So perhaps Chen has learned to listen to someone older and wiser than he. There is much more to standing on the top step of the biggest podiums, than your ability to do the most difficult technical stuff. There is the mental and emotional "stuff" as well.

 

[danibellerika]

I think I will go with Shoma because the Japanese men have formed a habit of winning post-olys world titles on the heels of winning their first olympic medals. First Dai, then Yuzu. Don't buck the trend, Shomita!!