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ISU figure skating worlds opens in Shanghai

Xinhua, March 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Shanghai opened China's first ever world figure skating championships on Wednesday.

Reigning Olympic and world champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan leads the men but he has to expect tough competition. Hanyu won the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final earlier this season and has his season best of 288.16 points.

Four Continents champion Denis Ten from Kazakhstan, whose season best is 289.46, looks ready to have a shot at the world title

Three-time European champion Javier Fernandez of Spain travels to Shanghai with 260.01 points.

Several other men are aiming at the podium as well - 2015 Four Continents Championships silver medalist Joshua Farris of the United States, 2015 Four Continents bronze medalist Han Yan of China, 2015 European silver medalist Maxim Kovtun from Russia and his compatriot and 2015 European bronze medalist Sergei Voronov.

Reigning European champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia is the top-ranked lady in Shanghai. The ISU Grand Prix Final winner posted a season best of 210.40 points. Competition should come from her teammate and European silver medalist Elena Radionova (season best 209.54 points), ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalist American Ashley Wagner (season best 189.50) and European bronze medalist Anna Pogorilaya of Russia (season best 191.81 points). China's Li Zijun will also compete for a medal.

ISU Grand Prix Final and Four Continents champions Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford of Canada are looking to crown a successful season with their first world title. The 2014 world bronze medalists come with 220.72 points and are unbeaten so far this season.

However, 2015 European champions Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov of Russia and a strong Chinese squad consisting of returning two-time world champions Pang Qing/Tong Jian, 2015 Four Continents silver medalists Peng Cheng/Zhang Hao and current ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalists Sui Wenjing/Han Cong are chasing the Canadians.

In ice dance, 2014 world silver medalists, Canadian pair Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje, top the season. China's Liu Xinyu/Wang Shiyu will take part in the event.

A total of 164 skaters/pairs from 37 ISU members have been entered for the championships. Endi