Figure skating world champion Chen motivated by presence of Hanyu and Uno at 2019 Worlds

SAITAMA, Japan, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Figure skating world champion Nathan Chen said on Tuesday that competing alongside Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno at the 2019 World championships motivated him.

"Having Yuzu, Shoma, and all these amazing skaters here really helps push me and helps motivate me to take advantage of this practice atmosphere," said the All-American champion, who attempted five quadruple jumps in his free program practice skate last evening. He did, however, fall during his first quadruple flip.

The 19-year-old, nicknamed "quad king", said he wasn't worrying about his rivals.

"Every single skater here is amazing, you can't count any one out. If I focus on other skaters, I end up doing really badly, so right now I'm just trying to focus on myself."

The men's program at the 2019 World Figure Skating championships begins here on Thursday.