TURIN, Italy — Without Evan Lysacek and Evgeni Plushenko to push him, Olympic bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi had to challenge himself.
Takahashi gave Japan its first men’s title at the world figure skating championships Thursday and he did it with flair, attempting a rare quadruple flip. Canada’s Patrick Chan won the silver for a second straight year and France’s Brian Joubert took the bronze, both making up for disappointing Olympic results.
U.S. champion Jeremy Abbott of Aspen finished fifth and newcomer Adam Rippon, winner of the 2008 and 2009 junior world titles, was sixth, ensuring the Americans will have three spots again at next year’s world championships.
Takahashi was the only men’s medalist from Vancouver to compete here, and the absence of Lysacek and Plushenko changed his emphasis. Takahashi might have two-footed the landing of the quad flip, but it was enough to let everyone know he’s back in the quad game.
“It was more of a challenge-based competition for me, and I really enjoyed that challenge,” said Takahashi, who has been working to get his four-revolution jumps back into shape since missing last season after having knee surgery.
Skating last, Takahashi held up under extreme pressure. His energetic program included wonderfully expressive footwork, and he did seven clean triple jumps, including a soaring triple axel. His score for the free skate, 168.40, was his best of the Olympic season, and gave him a total of 257.70 — more than 10 points ahead of Chan.
When his score was posted, Takahashi saluted the cheering crowd — dozens of Japanese flags were waving — and pumped his fist.
“I am so happy. And I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks so much,” said Takahashi, who won the silver medal at the 2007 worlds. “I was able to perform my best here.”
Chan didn’t have his strongest performance, falling late in the program on a triple loop and fighting to hold the landing of a triple salchow. But with Joubert struggling, it was good enough to take second.
“This whole season has been quite a challenge. Today it’s a silver medal, but I think it’s more like a gold medal for the effort I put in this season,” said Chan, a medal favorite who finished fifth at the Olympics.
Earlier Thursday, Olympic gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada extended their lead over Vancouver runner-ups Meryl Davis and Charlie White, winning the original dance with a sultry flamenco. Virtue and Moir have 114.40 points heading into today’s free dance, nearly two points ahead of Davis and White (112.54).
