In February of 2022, the world watched as figure skater Nathan Chen put on a gold medal-winning performance at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. His performance capped off a stretch of dominance in the sport of men’s figure skating since 2018.
Starting from the 2018 World Championships, Nathan Chen established himself as the best figure skater in the world. That year, he won his first World Championship title, showcasing his unparalleled technical ability and signature quadruple jumps. Despite a disappointing performance at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, where he finished fifth in the men’s singles event, Chen rebounded strongly, using the setback as motivation.
Chen continued his dominance by securing back-to-back World Championship titles in 2019 and 2021 (the 2020 World Championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). He also maintained an unbeaten streak in major competitions, including multiple Grand Prix Final victories and six consecutive U.S. National Championships from 2017 to 2022. His ability to seamlessly blend power, precision, and expression redefined men’s figure skating, setting new technical standards with his execution of difficult quadruple jump combinations.
At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Chen delivered a flawless short program, earning a world-record score of 113.97 points and setting himself up for a historic gold medal run. In the free skate, he executed five quadruple jumps with near-perfect precision. His final combined score of 332.60 secured his place in Olympic history, making him the first American man to win figure skating gold since 2010.
Chen’s victory in Beijing and his dominant stretch from 2018 to 2022 cemented his legacy as one of the greatest men’s figure skaters of all time. Following his Olympic triumph, he took a step back from competitive skating to focus on his studies, while remaining involved in the sport through exhibitions, coaching, and advocacy for the next generation of skaters. His influence extends beyond the rink, inspiring young athletes worldwide and expanding the visibility of Asian-American excellence in sports.