In three-peating as U.S. champion, Nathan Chen dazzles everyone but his coach
/DETROIT – What Nathan Chen did in Sunday afternoon’s free skate at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships looked like otherworldly brilliance to everyone who saw it.
“Honestly, it’s incredible,” said Jason Brown, who had a chance to watch Chen because Brown had skated before him.
And yet Chen’s coach, Rafael Arutunian, refused to get carried away after his skater easily became the first man since Johnny Weir in 2006 to win three straight men’s national titles.
“I am not completely satisfied,” Arutunian said Sunday. “There is so much more he can do.
“He didn’t do a quad Salchow. I still want him to try a quad loop. This was a program he has executed before. You always like to improve.”
Chen was not surprised by hearing Arutunian’s comments.
“Raf is always the overachiever,” Chen said. “That’s why I am with him. Of course, there are things I can improve on.”
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