Updated Feb 10, 2022 - Sports

Nathan Chen wins men's figure skating Olympic gold for U.S. in Beijing

Rebecca Falconer

Nathan Chen of Team United States reacts during the Men Single Skating Free Skating on day six of the Winter Olympic Games at Capital Indoor Stadium on February 10, 2022 in Beijing, China — Nathan Chen of Team USA reacts during the men's single skating free skating event on day six of the 2022 Winter Olympic at Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on Feb. 10. Photo: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

U.S. figure skater Nathan Chen won gold in the men's individual event at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Thursday.

The big picture: The 22-year-old was given a standing ovation at Beijing's Capital Indoor Stadium after his free skate, in which he pulled off all five of his quads, performing to a medley from the "Rocket Man" movie soundtrack.

The three-time world champion finished with a total score of 332.60, scoring higher than anyone else in the free skate (218.63) and last Tuesday's short program, when Chen set a world-record score of 113.97.

What he's saying: "It’s just a whirlwind right now," Chen told NBC after his win. "Everything's just happening so fast, but I’m so happy."

By the numbers: This is Chen's third Olympic medal and his first gold. He's the seventh American men's skater to win a gold medal.

For the record: Japan's Yuma Kagiyama won the silver medal and fellow countryman Shoma Uno won the bronze in the men's individual event.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Nathan Chen wins men's figure skating Olympic gold for U.S. in Beijing

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