ISU figure skating worlds opens in Shanghai

Figure skaters perform during the opening ceremony of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, March 25, 2015. The Shanghai 2015 tournament take place from March 25-29. [Photo/IC]

SHANGHAI - Shanghai opened China's first ever world figure skating championships on Wednesday.

Reigning Olympic and world champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan leads the men but he has to expect tough competition. Hanyu won the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final earlier this season and has his season best of 288.16 points.

Four Continents champion Denis Ten from Kazakhstan, whose season best is 289.46, looks ready to have a shot at the world title.

Three-time European champion Javier Fernandez of Spain travels to Shanghai with 260.01 points.