SHANGHAI (AP) β Olympic and world champion Yuzuru Hanyu was involved in a scary crash with another skater during warm-ups at the Cup of China on Saturday, but recovered to perform his free skate program and nearly won the title, despite falling five times.
Maxim Kovtun of Russia captured the gold with 243.34 points, less than six points ahead of Hanyu (237.55).
Hanyu was skating backward at a high speed during the warm-ups before the free skate when he collided with defending champion Yan Han of China. Hanyu fell to the ice and lay for several seconds on his back as blood streamed down his neck from a cut on his chin.
Both skaters were checked by doctors before deciding to compete in the free skate.
Yan finished sixth overall.
