Nathan won 2018 Worlds. He just bombed at the Olympics.It's interesting reading the narrative the press is giving Nathan Chen heading into the 2022 Olympics which seems to be "redemption for 2018 after being heavily favored and faltering at Pyeongchang."
I dont think there's any doubt that Nathan fell below expectations in 2018, but I don't remember him being *that* much of a favorite heading into the Olympics...maybe an outside favorite, but not THE favorite from 2018. Nathan bombed at 2018 worlds, and had a run of 2nd place free programs in the 17-18 season suggesting his form wasn't where it needed to be. Sure he beat Hanyu at 4CC and an injured Hanyu at Rostelecom, and barely beat Shoma at the GPF, but Nathan didn't have that aura of infallibility that he has now. I remember the overall thinking still being "If Hanyu skates clean, he'll win gold." I remember it being Hanyu as the favorite, with Shoma, Nathan, Javier, Boyang and MAYBE Patrick and Mikhail kind of being lumped into the same group of "favored for a medal, could beat Hanyu if he's off." But I don't know, maybe I'm just remembering things wrong.