We’d say that Nathan Chen had a good small program in the men’s event at the 2022 Winter Olympics but that wouldn’t be giving him enough credit. The American figure skater set a record for the highest score ever in a men’s short program.
THE HIGHEST SCORE EVER IN A MEN'S SHORT PROGRAM.
NATHAN. CHEN.#WatchWithUS #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/7aOQQ6vdkM
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 8, 2022
With people tuned in to what was already an action-packed Monday, those watching on Twitter had a lot to say about Chen’s historic performance.
Some fans had some fun with Chen’s outfit of choice.
go nathan chen !!! flight attendant king 🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/HWJwQU4rst
— scarlet ✰ (@nathanwcurls) February 8, 2022
me getting surprised seeing Nathan Chen in yet another waiter outfit like pic.twitter.com/GkqTJe83ts
— YUZURU HANYU GOLD | bad buddy lockdown (@softminyoongii) February 8, 2022
For the most part, though, the talk centered around Chen’s performance. And given that his performance was not only record-breaking but record-shattering, people had a lot to say.
🇺🇸CHEN-SATIONAL🇺🇸
Nathan Chen scores a 113.97 in the Short Program, launching him into first place.
A WORLD RECORD.
What a performance from the American of La Boheme on Ice. #Beijing2022 #FigureSkating pic.twitter.com/V32NSrAEzT
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) February 8, 2022
NATHAN CHEN. That’s the tweet. That’s all. World record with the world watching, I’m so proud of him!!!! #WinterOlympics #FigureSkating
— Ashley Wagner (@AshWagner2010) February 8, 2022
9:00: I guess I’ll turn on the Olympics
9:15: I would run through a brick wall for Nathan Chen
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 8, 2022
I hope everyone watching sees more than Nathan Chen’s quad lutz. His attention to detail with every arm movement and his incredible posture are remarkable. It may not have the visible difficulty in terms of transitional steps but it has so many artistic qualities still.
— Meagan Duhamel (@mhjd_85) February 8, 2022
Nathan Chen’s fist pumping right at the end of his short program pic.twitter.com/zQrIeEGuPQ
— Mallory Yu (@mallory_yu) February 8, 2022
An absolutely majestic skate from Nathan Chen at the most important moment of his life.
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) February 8, 2022
The long program is still to come. We won’t know who the medalists are until that event is over. But if someone is going to beat Chen, something drastic will have to occur.
NATHAN CHEN HAS BROKE THE WORLD RECORD FOR SHORT PROGRAM!!!!
HE'S WORTHY FOR THE GOLD MEDAL!!!
WHOAAAA!!!! #FigureSkating #beijing2022 #olympics
— Fridho ฟรีโด่ (@fridhodamora) February 8, 2022
Let's go for the gold medal 🥇 @nathanwchen #FigureSkating #Beijing2022 #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/OMD99k1cc6
— Laura C. #UndisputedERAForever🤘🏼🖤💛🤘🏼 (@LauraC10) February 8, 2022
Chen’s performance capped off what was a memorable night of competition in the men’s event.
OK, so Nathan Chen with a more than 5-point lead heading into the free skate.
Jason Brown gets his best free skate number ever.
Yuma Kagiyama and Shoma Uno both brought it and should be dang fun on Wednesday night.
What. A. Night.
— Maggie Hendricks (@maggiehendricks) February 8, 2022
With so much going on in the short program, the long program figures to be appointment viewing television. With two-time reigning gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu in seventh place, it seems all but assured that we’ll have a new gold medalist.
If Chen does go on to win, he’ll be the first American gold medal winner in the event since Evan Lysacek.