TOKYO — Riding the momentum of its historic three-gold performance at the World Championships in Boston, Team USA defended its World Team Trophy title in Tokyo, led by three World champions competing together for the first time since their individual victories weeks earlier.
Alysa Liu, Ilia Malinin, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates headlined the American squad alongside team captain Jason Brown, Amber Glenn, and Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea.
"We've got something special right now," Brown said before the competition. "When you see what this team did in Boston, and then you come here together — there's a real sense of pride in wearing Team USA."
Chock and Bates, who set world records in the rhythm dance, free dance, and total score at the 2023 World Team Trophy, arrived in Tokyo as three-time reigning World champions and delivered a performance worthy of that status. Liu's free skate drew the largest crowd reaction of the competition, the 19-year-old skating with a freedom and confidence she had only recently discovered at the senior level.
Malinin treated the Tokyo crowd to another high-wire free skate with six quadruple jumps including his signature quadruple Axel, while Glenn won the ladies free skate segment to add to Team USA's dominant total. Team USA won the overall competition for the second consecutive year.
"This team is special," Chock said. "We never take wearing this uniform for granted."