From 19th place to 3rd: the crazy comeback of Frenchman Adam Siao Him Fa after his memorable failure at the World Skating Championships

Adam Siao Him Fa estime avoir réalisé la “meilleure performance” de sa vie. MAXPPP – CJ GUNTHER

Le Français Adam Siao Him Fa a remporté la médaille de bronze samedi 23 mars au Championnat du monde de patinage à Montréal, réussissant une remontée incroyable dans une compétition remportée par l’Américain Ilia Malinin, auteur d’une prestation dantesque.

The two men produced the most noticed performances by the public, each receiving a long ovation from a won over audience, standing in the stands. On the second step of the podium: the Japanese Yuma Kagiyama (309.65 points), injured last season, failed to shine on Saturday, missing out on his free program with notably a fall from the start.

Author of an exceptional quadruple axel, the young American, who obtained a total of 333.76 points, shocked the spectators with an exceptional free program during which he performed a quadruple axel. He is the only skater to have ever performed this figure in competition.

As for the Frenchman Adam Siao Him Fa (284.39 points), he delighted the public with an impressive performance overflowing with energy, even performing a spectacular backflip, an element that was nevertheless forbidden. He was the huge surprise of the day because the reigning European champion had completely missed his short program, finishing only 19th.

⛸️ #TLS | Grand favori dans ces Mondiaux de patinage artistique à Montréal, Adam Siao Him Fa a manqué son programme court hier soir. Le double champion d'Europe termine à la 19ème place.

Le Français a néanmoins réussi à se qualifier pour le programme libre samedi soir. pic.twitter.com/H0gjKqCsU5

— francetvsport (@francetvsport) March 22, 2024

"This championship has really been full of ups and downs for me. It was a lot of emotion", confided Adam Siao Him Fa. "I'm happy to have gotten my revenge compared to the short program, that's really what I wanted", said the 23-year-old skater, speaking about the"best performance" of his life.

MÉDAILLE DE BRONZE MONDIALE 🥉

19e à l’issue du programme court, Adam Siao Him Fa a réalisé un programme libre exceptionnel qui lui permet de monter sur le podium des championnats du monde de patinage artistique✨pic.twitter.com/Jagnvdz24l

— Equipe France (@EquipeFRA) March 24, 2024

The Frenchman was one of the strong men of the season, notably with two Grand Prix victories and a second European championship title won with panache last January.< /p>

Quadruple axel

It was to the music of the hit series Succession that Ilia Malinin, aged only 19, displayed his talent, performing quadruples to perfection (axel, lutz , salchow). "This victory means a lot to me. These last few weeks have been a real mental and physical challenge. I even wondered if I should come", said the 2022 junior world champion. "I am happy to have held on. I'm so happy to be here at the top now", he continued.

Big disappointment on the other hand for the double title holder, the Japanese Shoma Uno. The latter had taken a comfortable lead after the short program but found himself at the foot of the podium after a fall and several blunders. As for Luc Economides, the other Frenchman in the competition, he finished 21st with 217.10 points.