An injured Jason Brown will be unable to defend his title at the U.S. figure skating championships later this month.
The 21-year-old reigning champ announced Thursday that he is withdrawing from the national championships, which start Jan. 21 in Minnesota, citing a recurring back injury that had flared up during training.
"Words cannot describe how deeply disappointed I am to be unable to compete at the U.S. Championships and go for another title," Brown said via U.S. Figure Skating. "Under my doctors' orders, I have shut down all training in order to allow my body to heal completely. With rest, treatment and physical therapy, my doctors expect my full recovery. I look forward to competing again as soon as I possibly can."
Kills me to have to withdraw from the 2016 US Championships, but I'm determined to come back stronger than ever!! ✨ pic.twitter.com/dnCOJcH1WF
— Jason Brown (@jasonbskates) January 7, 2016
Brown finished ninth at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics before winning his first national title last January. He then placed third at Skate America in October, but then withdrew from the NHK Trophy the following month with back strain.
