Cha Jun-hwan, a South Korean figure skater, is focused on caution in his free skate routine at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Competing in men’s singles at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, he currently ranks sixth after the short program, scoring 92.72 points.
Current Standings in Men’s Singles
As of February 10, 2026, the leaderboard is led by Ilia Malinin of the United States with 108.16 points. Yuma Kagiyama from Japan follows with 103.07 points, while Adam Siao Him Fa of France is in third place with 102.55 points.
Previous Performances
Cha’s best Olympic result was fifth place at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. This was the highest placement for a South Korean male figure skater. However, he faces a formidable challenge in the current competition.
Strategic Approach to Free Skate
Cha has previously executed three quad jumps but has reduced that number to two due to ankle issues. As he prepares for the free skate scheduled for Friday, his strategy revolves around executing his current program with precision rather than increasing difficulty.
Experience and Adaptability
- In an earlier performance at the Asian Winter Games in 2025, Cha overcame a points deficit to win gold.
- He performed two quads and achieved a score of 187.60, outperforming Kagiyama’s 168.95.
Response to Judging Decisions
Cha expressed frustration regarding his score from the short program, particularly noting a “quarter landing” call on his triple axel, which affected his overall score. He also received a Level 3 rating on his step sequence, contrary to his usual Level 4 recognition.
Commitment to Performance
Despite his disappointment, Cha remains committed to enjoying the process of skating. “I always want to enjoy the process because I think the result will then follow,” he stated. His focus is on delivering a clean and memorable performance in the upcoming free skate routine.
