Cha Jun-hwan performs during the men’s single free skating event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics held at Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China on the 10th. Beijing (China) = Reporter Park Jong-minCha Jun-hwan (21, Korea University) withdrew from the World Championships due to boot problems.
On the 26th, Cha Jun-hwan’s management company Bravo & New announced, “Cha Jun-hwan withdrew due to a boot problem ahead of the free skating of the 2022 International Skating Union (ISU) Figure Skating World Championships scheduled for that day.”
Cha Jun-hwan scored only 82.43 in the short program held on the 24th. Earlier, when he finished fifth in the men’s singles at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the score was far below the individual best score of 99.51 in the short program. He also ranked 17th out of 30.
According to Bravo & New, Cha Jun-hwan had a plan to replace four pairs of boots following the Beijing Olympics. However, he decided to wear the original boots at the world championships.
But there is a problem with the boots.
Bravo & New said, “While preparing for the competition, the ankle part of the right boot broke and went to the competition following urgent repairs, such as adding plastic. However, during the first official practice in the country, even the hook to hang the boot laces fell off.” I made a hole so I might tie the laces, but the boots didn’t receive enough force, so I had a hard time performing the short program.”
He added, “I started practicing once more for free skating, but following the last practice, I decided that I mightn’t perform normally, so I withdrew following consulting with coach Brian Orser.”
Cha Jun-hwan said, “After discussing with coach Oh Seo during official practice yesterday and today to check the condition of the boots, we decided to withdraw because it was not possible to perform the program normally and there was a risk of injury. I wanted to do it, but it’s a pity that I mightn’t show what I prepared.”
