TALLINN, Estonia – Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., is in a battle royale for a medal in the men’s standings after Wednesday’s short program at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

The 18-year-old Phan is in eighth place with 77.50 points but that’s just four points from third occupied by Andrew Torgashev of the U.S. at 81.50. Only 6.3 points separate 10th from third.

‘’I felt good from the beginning to the end,’’ said Phan, 18, fourth at the world juniors two seasons ago. ‘’I wasn’t too tired but I was fighting for all of my jumps. I just need to keep the focus on myself and put all my energy into every element.’’

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan is first at 85.82 and Andrei Mozalev of Russia is second at 84.31.

Stephen Gogolev of Toronto is 18th.

In pairs, the Russians are 1-2-3 led by Apollinariia Panfilova and Dmitry Rylov.

Kelly Ann Laurin  of St-Jerome, Que., and Loucas Ethier of St-Eustache, Que., are 12th and Patricia Andrew of London, Ont., and  Zachary Daleman of Newmarket 14th.

Competition continues Thursday with the rhythm dance and the pairs free skate. The men’s free skate is on Friday.
Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1920/wjc2020/