Evan Lysacek Beats Evgeni Plushenko, And His Quad

All the talk leading into the Men’s Figure Skating competition was focused on how it would be, well, a lack of competition. Sure, it was a deep field, but Russian Evgeni Plushenko was still going to win. He was the defending gold medalist, and he came out of retirement partially because winning it again was a foregone conclusions. The man throws quads -- who could possibly beat him?

The answer was American Evan Lysacek, who’s Free Skate was perfect enough to overtake the Russian’s Short Program lead.

“It was definitely my best, and that’s what I came here to do,” Lysacek said.

“I couldn’t have asked for much more than that. To get a personal best in the most important moment of my life-you dream about it.”

SB Nation’s figure skating blog, Required Elements, was offering its thoughts throughout the event.

Evan Lysacek (USA, Music: Sheherezade): Ok, that was not perfect, he gave up some grade of execution points. He skated clean. This better score high! This man is such a competitor. he won me over four years ago when he came back from a disastrous short program in Torino, and he just further proved his strength tonight. ... WAIT. 167.37 UM YOU HAVE TO BE ... KIDDING ME THAT HE ONLY GOT 7 POINTS OVER PATRICK CHAN. 257.67. That is not going to do it. (or am I being paranoid/pessimistic? ...)

Evgeny Plushenko (Russia): This program doesn’t do it for me. I prefer a (slightly restrained) Evan over a flamboyant Plushenko any day. Useless arms. Footwork that does not appear so complicated. Still, this may very well be the gold medal. Triple lutz...was that fully rotated? I think it was just a weird landing ... This is not a good program, I dont care who he is seducing ... I’m starting to think maybe he won’t win ... This program was a joke to me when you put it up against Lysacek ... His jumps were not as strong as Lysacek’s on the whole, more grade of execution deductions, although Bravo to him for landing them.

And then, Lysacek’s score was announced ...

EVAN LYSACEK JUST WON THE OLY MPIC GOLD MEDAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 165.51 for the free skate. 256.36 for the competition. EVAN WINS BY ONE POINT. This is such a triumph.

And we’d be irresponsible if we did not mention Johny Weir, who gave his best performance yet, even if the judges did not agree. Weir, our Fallen Angel, finished sixth overall in the scoring, over eight points out of medal contention, much to the disappointment of those in the crowd. Back to Required Elements.

That is literally the best free [Weir] has done ... ever. I’m soo sooo happy he could do this!!!! Oh gosh, I have divided loyalties. 156.77. The crowd is booing, augh WHY DO THE JUDGES HATE YOU JOHNNY WEIR!!!??? I hate you, judges. I continue blogging under protest.

If it’s any consolation, there’s still the Exhibition Gala next weekend. If we’re lucky, Weir will do his “Poker Face” performance.

Until then, congratulations to Evan Lysacek.

More: SB Nation’s full coverage of the Winter Olympics and the 2010 Winter Olympics Medal Count Tracker.