Cha Jun-hwan claimed first place in the men’s short program at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics figure skating test event. The competition took place at Milan Arena in Italy on February 11 local time.
Impressive Scores and Season Best
Skating for Seoul City Hall, Cha delivered a total score of 92.72 points. This included a Technical Element Score (TES) of 50.08 and a Program Component Score (PCS) of 42.64. The performance marked the season’s best among six competitors, securing top ranking ahead of the free program on February 14.
Cha stated, “The program matched smoothly. I felt good overcoming various challenges this season.” He added, “It’s the season best, but even compared to previous scores, it fell a bit short of expectations.”
Technical Mastery on Display
Athletes prepared rigorously for demanding elements like the triple Axel-Salchow and triple Lutz-triple loop combinations. Cha achieved Level 4 on the flying camel spin and succeeded with a triple Axel in the high-difficulty second half, where scores receive a 10% boost.
These elements, including chain put sit spins, step sequences, and combination spins, aligned perfectly with the program requirements.
Government Praise and International Spotlight
Officials congratulated Cha on his strong showing. As Korea’s leading figure skater, he placed fifth at the Beijing Olympics four years ago. Sources describe him as a proven talent regaining momentum amid evolving Olympic standards.
One observer noted, “Cha posted the highest score of the season. He excelled even under adverse conditions and earned high marks in overseas media evaluations. His real skill positions him as Korea’s figure skating ace.”
US Media Controversy and Online Reactions
A US publication labeled Korean figure skating results as “fan judging cheating.” However, online analysis counters this, showing Cha’s score was conservative despite expectations for higher marks. Experts emphasize his edge deserves recognition.
Social media responses vary. Fans praised, “A perfect idol performance,” and “Such a clear, appealing face—no wonder he’s a top draw.” Others questioned his youth while acknowledging the pressure on elite skaters. Overall, enthusiasm builds as Cha draws widespread attention.
