"If This Isn’t Rigged, What Is It?" World in Uproar Over Cha Jun-hwan’s Low Score [2026 Milan]

[Financial News] "Perfect!" "Wunderschön (beautiful)!"
The commentators could not hold back their exclamations, and the skater pumped his fist in triumph. It was a clean program that looked flawless to anyone watching. Yet the moment the score flashed on the scoreboard, the skater, the fans, and even foreign media in the arena could only tilt their heads in disbelief.
The 92.72 points recorded by 25-year-old Cha Jun-hwan of the Seoul City Hall team in the men’s singles short program at the 2026 Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics on February 11 (Korea time) have set the figure skating world abuzz. The reaction has gone far beyond simple disappointment, with some even raising suspicions about the judging.
Newsweek, the U.S. current affairs weekly, reported on the unusual mood in its online edition on February 10 (local time). Even the headline was blunt: "Fury Erupts Online as Fans Call Olympic Figure Skating Judging 'Rigged.'"
Newsweek pointedly noted that "Cha Jun-hwan was clearly among the central figures of the controversy." The outlet reported that fans on social media were exploding with anger after he received a shockingly low score compared with the quality of his performance. It quoted furious comments from fans, such as, "It makes no sense that he only got Level 3 on the step sequence," and, "It makes you suspect figure skating is a rigged sport."

The U.S.-based figure skating outlet Inside Skating also joined in. It asked, "What more does Cha Jun-hwan have to do to receive program component scores in the 9s? From what we see, he is already at that level," sharply questioning the judges’ scoring standards.
When the detailed score sheets were released, they showed that four of the nine judges had ranked Cha Jun-hwan between seventh and ninth. That disclosure ignited a debate over "home advantage." Comparisons were drawn with host-nation skater Daniel Grassl, who received generous marks, and questions about fairness quickly followed.
One figure skating expert argued, "If Cha Jun-hwan had received the score he rightfully deserved, there would have been only two skaters ahead of him," adding, "He was robbed of his points."
This is not just the complaint of Korean fans. Japanese figure skating legend Nobunari Oda also expressed disbelief during a broadcast.
According to a report by Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company (JTBC), Nobunari Oda checked Cha Jun-hwan’s score and exclaimed, "You’ve got to be kidding me. There is no way that’s Level 3," unable to hide his shock. He went on, "At this rate, I should become an executive of the Korean federation and file a protest myself. How can he skate that well and still not get Level 4?" venting his frustration. When even a legend from a rival country steps forward like this, it shows just how mysterious this judging really is.

Of course, the short program is over. Yet the intensity of the controversy is, in a way, proof that the world recognizes Cha Jun-hwan’s performance at these Olympics as being fully worthy of a medal.
Few things harden a skater’s resolve more than the sense of having skated well but not been rewarded on the scoreboard.
In the mixed zone, Cha Jun-hwan admitted, "I can’t say I’m not disappointed with the score," but remained composed. His focus has already shifted to the free skating on the 14th.
Around the world, people are saying, "There’s something wrong with that score," and lining up on his side.
Now there is only one thing left for Cha Jun-hwan to do: deliver such a dominant performance that it leaves no room for controversy and knocks the "mysterious judges" down a peg. That is why anticipation is building even more for his upcoming free skate to "Ballade for the Mad" on the 14th.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter