China's Sui and Han sit second after short program at the Figure Skating World Championships
The 2019 Figure Skating World Championships began on Wednesday in Saitama, Japan. China's Sui Wenjing and Han Cong came in second, just ahead of compatriots Peng Cheng and Jin Yang. But both duos will be chasing Russia's Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov on Thursday's free skate.
Sui and Han, the silver medalists at last year's PyeongChang Winter Olympics, were in the third group to take the ice in Saitama. Sui was limited by a foot injury going into this event, leaving her and Han focused on maximizing their artistic expression, rather than attempting an intricate series of dazzling maneuvers.
Han Cong (R) and Sui Wenjing of China compete during the pairs' short program event at the 2019 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan, March 20, 2019. /VCG Photo
Skating to the tune "Nobody Can Replace You," the 2017 world champions finished their short program with 79.24 points, their highest total at any event this season, as well as their best score at any major competition since last November's Cup of China in Beijing.
Chinese figure skaters Peng Cheng (L) and Jin Yang perform during the pairs' short program event at the 2019 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan, March 20, 2019. /VCG Photo
Meanwhile, this is the second time for Peng and Jin to team up at World Championships, after finishing ninth overall last year. But they came in determined to move up and close their routine to "Ophelia" with a tally of 75.51 points, just under four behind Sui and Han, while Tarasova and Mozorov hold the top spot with 81.21 points.