MOSCOW - Figure skating superstars Kim Yu-na and Mao Asada will rekindle their long-running rivalry in the relocated world figure skating championships starting on Monday.

The championships, originally scheduled to take place in Tokyo a month ago, were moved to Russia following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

All four reigning champions are back to defend their titles with the highly anticipated rematch between South Korea's Kim and Japan's Asada, who dominated the 2010 season.

Olympic champion Kim beat Asada to gold in Vancouver but has not competed since losing her world title to Asada in Turin last year.

Since then, Kim split with Canadian Brian Orser, the coach who had helped her win Olympic gold, for reasons that remain unclear, and now trains in California with former Olympic pairs medallist Peter Oppegard.

In the absence of her perennial rival, two-time world champion Asada has struggled this season, overshadowed by compatriot Miki Ando, the 2007 world champion. Asada settled for silver at nationals.

But the scene is nevertheless set for a much-anticipated clash between the Asian golden girls with Kim the favourite if she hits all her jumps and skates cleanly. She leads Asada 7-6 in a rivalry going back six years.

Podium challengers include Grand Prix final winner Alissa Czisny of the United States, three-time European champion Carolina Kostner of Italy, American Rachael Flatt, reigning world junior champion Kanako Murakami of Japan and Russia's Ksenia Makarova.

Japan's Daisuke Takahashi will be bidding to defend his men's title in a field which is again without Olympic champion Evan Lysacek of the United States and former world and Olympic champion Yevgeny Plushenko of Russia.

"I know it would be difficult to win back to back. But I will skate believing I can do it," said Takahashi.

"I will see how much I can live up to expectations, how far I've come and how strong I am. I'd be glad if (Japanese) people can encourage themselves by watching me perform. It will be great if I can perform in a way to draw the spectators into what I do."

Takahashi won the Four Continents in February and has a seasons best of 244.00 points. But two-time world silver medallist and Grand Prix final winner Patrick Chan has the highest seasons best with 259.75.

"I really want to come home with a gold medal from worlds. I feel like it's time," said Chan. "I feel really prepared and in good shape to do it, and I don't see why it can't be done."

The Canadian remains wary of the Japanese contingent that also includes Takahiko Kozuka and Nobunari Oda.

"There's tons of skaters including all the skaters from Japan who, I believe, will be more motivated than ever to do what they do and skate for their country," the 20-year-old said.

European champion Florent Amodio and fellow Frenchman Brian Joubert, the reigning world bronze medllist, will be targetting the podium along with Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic.

In pairs, champions Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China are up against world silver medalists Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany with Russia's reigning bronze medallists Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov looking to impress at home.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 04/25/2011 page24)