Shoma Uno of Japan participates in a practice session during the 2023 ISU Figure Skating World Championships at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on March 21, 2023. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI/AFP)
Shoma Uno of Japan broke into a sweat while defending his men’s figure skating world title Wednesday when he fell and injured his ankle during practice before the competition.
An official with the Japan team said Uno will be reevaluated on Thursday morning – just hours before he does his short-term program in Saitama, north of Tokyo.
The 25-year-old fell during training and cut it short when doctors examined his right ankle.
He was not taken to hospital but a Japanese team official said Uno was struggling with an ankle problem.
“He said to himself that he thinks he’ll be fine but we’ll take a look at it tomorrow,” said Yosuke Takeuchi, an official with the Japan Skating Federation.
Uno has struggled to build up the competition, telling reporters on Tuesday that he is “doubtful” about his ability to defend his title.
“I feel like it won’t get any better unless something big changes,” said Uno.
“I don’t know what kind of outcome I can aim for in my current state,” he added.
If Uno is fit enough to skate, he will face competition for the title from American teenager and self-proclaimed “QuadGod” Ilia Malinin, France’s European champion Adam Siao Him Fa and Keegan Messing of Canada.
Men’s short shows are on Thursdays and freestyle skating on Saturdays.
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