2003 World Champion

Plushenko wins Gold

Evgeni Plushenko found out that winning the World Championship was harder the second time around. But Plushenko's seasoned-experience and artistic skating earned him Gold at the World Championships March 27, 2003, in Washington, D.C. He received all 5.9s for presentation.

Evgeni wins Gold at Worlds.

Plushenko, 20, hit two quadruple jumps and six triples including a quad-triple-double in an opening jump sequence.

"There was a lot of pressure. Tim (Silver Medalist Goebel) skated well…he did two quads. I didn't watch him but I knew what he did," Plushenko said.

Plushenko worked through a sore knee injured four days before the World Championships began. It hindered his mobility most of the week and he mostly practiced and rested. When Plushenko woke up the morning of the free skate his knee was red. His doctor decided against a pain injection and used salve and massage to make his knee as comfortable as possible.

"My knee has been hurting me. I am very tired but I feel great," Plushenko said.

Plushenko skated to "St. Petersburg, 300". He said he was influenced by the movie. "First I watched the movie and then listened to the music. I then thought this would be a good thing to skate to."

Plushenko exhibited his sense of humor throughout the press conference. When asked why he wore a black glove and silver glove he said: "That is my question to the to the lady who makes my costumes," he laughed.

Just as Plushenko was asked his first question from the media a cell phone rang. Plushenko laughed and mimicked the ring. The room filled with laughter and then some when he looked to his right to see Timothy Goebel apologize for leaving his cell phone on. "That's OK," Plushenko said with a grin, and then continued to answer questions.

And finally when he was answering a question, Plushenko briefly wrestled with the usage of the English word win and won. When he said "won," and the media laughed with approval, Plushenko said, "I got that right."

Plushenko in first after short program at Worlds

Evgeni Plushenko ignored the pain in his left knee and performed a near-flawless program skated to Adagio by T. Albinoni to lead after the short program at the World Figure Skating Championships March 25, 2003. Plushenko injured his knee four days earlier when he performed a quad lutz, salchow and toe loop in practice.

"I probably tried to do too much," Plushenko said. "It does hurt to walk and skate. I will have to consult my doctor and I may have to receive an injection for pain if it doesn't feel better."

Last year Plushenko had a right knee injury. This year he is taking the injury in stride. "Maybe it is good for me this year,"Plushenko joked. "Last year the right and this year the left." Plushenko skated a clean program but had to hold on to land his triple axel. "I didn't make a mistake," Plushenko said. "My hand or finger tips touched the ice."

Plushenko, the favorite to win his third World Championship, said he had room to improve in the free skate. "I can skate better of course, like in the qualifier," Plushenko said. He won his qualifying round. Plushenko said he isn't convinced the championship is his. "There are a lot of great guys here, and it will be tough," Plushenko said.

Plushenko wins qualifying round at Worlds

In the men's qualifying rounds at the World Championships in Washington, D.C., Evgeni Plushenko finished first in his group.

Plushenko recorded the only 6.0 in the competition with the remaining artistic scores at 5.9. He received 5.8s and 5.9s for technical merit.