Salt Lake City’s Nathan Chen wins Olympic Gold

Nathan Chen of United States performs during the Men Single Skating Free Skating at Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China on February 10, 2022. Nathan Chen won the event to claim gold medal. Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images.

BEIJING — Salt Lake City’s Nathan Chen is finally an Olympic champion after the 22 year old American scored a 332.60 in the men’s figure skating free skate competition to bring home the gold.

After a disappointing performance in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and returning to the states empty handed, Chen completely eradicated any memory of his previous appearance.

Skating to a rendition of “Rocketman” and following an initial world-record breaking performance with a score of 113.87 in the men’s short program, Chen scored a 218.63 in the freeskate to secure the gold.

HE IS THE GOLD STANDARD! ✨@nathanwchen x #WinterOlympics
pic.twitter.com/n1CJ85McwW

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 10, 2022

As Chen cemented himself as the best in the world, Yuma Kagiyama of Japan finished second with a score of 310.05, while Shoma Uno, also from Japan, finished third with a 293.00. Notably, fellow American Jason Brown finished sixth with a final score of 281.24.

Chen’s performance marks just the second time in the last 30 years that the United States has secured gold in the men’s figure skating free skate competition.