Figure skater Verner fourth after short program at world championships in Japan

Czech figure skater Tomáš Verner ranks fourth after the men’s short program at the World Figure Skating Championships in Japan. The 27-year-old made no errors in his performance and received 89.08 points, his new personal best. Verner, who was planning to retire after the Sochi Olympics where he finished 11th, said he was happy to postpone his retirement until after the championships. Another Czech skater at the world championships, Michal Březina, is ranked 23rd. The free-skate event is scheduled for Friday.