WASHINGTON -- Who's who at the World Figure Skating Championships, Monday-March 30.

WOMEN
Michelle Kwan, United States, 22 -- Four-time world champion took much of fall off, but break obviously didn't hurt. Won seventh U.S. title in January in impressive fashion, with best overall performance since 1998 Olympic trials. Free skate, to "Aranjuez,'' has vintage Kwan magic that gives spectators chills. ... Has won gold or silver at every worlds since 1996, and has never been second two years in a row. So where'd she finish last year? Second. ... Doesn't have same tough tricks as young rivals, but no one can match her artistry and grace when she's on. ... Despite coming up short at another Olympics -- she has bronze from Salt Lake City to go with silver from Nagano -- remains one of skating's most popular figures. ... Has a coach again after going it on her own last year; now working with former U.S. men's silver medalist Scott Williams.

	Sarah Hughes skipped Worlds last year after winning the Olympics.

Sarah Hughes, United States, 17 -- Olympic gold medalist would like to add world title to her resumé. Passed on last year's worlds because of hectic post-Salt Lake City schedule, which included trip to Grammys and intro to heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio. ... Missed most of season with torn muscle behind right knee, but still finished second at nationals. Was uncharacteristically conservative, but cut her some slack -- she'd only been training for a month. ... If she's back in 2002 form, has some of toughest tricks in skating and artistry to match. ... Won prestigious Sullivan Award, which goes to country's top amateur athlete. ... Still trying to decide how to juggle skating and college next year. Harvard wants her, and she's waiting to hear from East Coast's other top schools.

Sasha Cohen, United States, 18 -- Win at Grand Prix final might have cured her long-standing tendency to falter when it matters most. Trailing reigning world champ Irina Slutskaya going into free skate, she pulled off demanding program complete with triple-double combo at end to seal upset. ... Was most successful skater on Grand Prix circuit, with wins at Skate Canada and Lalique Trophy, and silver medal at Cup of Russia. But had another of her famous meltdowns at nationals, leaving her disheartened and in tears. She finished a distant third after falling once in free skate and two-footing other jumps. ... California native split with longtime coach John Nicks and moved across country to train with Tatiana Tarasova in Connecticut. Tarasova has brought more dramatic quality to Cohen's skating, giving even more depth to her exquisite artistry.

Fumie Suguri, Japan, 22 -- After several seasons on periphery, established herself as top skater with bronze medal at last year's worlds. ... Has been inconsistent this season, winning Four Continents and a silver medal at Skate Canada, but finishing fourth at NHK and sixth at Grand Prix final. ... Four-time Japanese champion. ... Started skating in Alaska, where her father was working as a pilot. ... Her coach is world champion Yuka Sato's father.

Viktoria Volchkova, Russia, 20 -- Has incredible talent -- she's first woman to win four straight European bronze medals -- but is maddeningly inconsistent. She won Cup of Russia and was third at Grand Prix final and Skate Canada. But was eighth at Europeans and sixth at Skate America. ... Was seventh at worlds last year after finishing sixth previous two seasons. ... Left Moscow and longtime coach Viktor Kudriavtsev last spring and now trains in Chicago area with Oleg Vasiliev.

MEN
Evgeni Plushenko, Russia, 20 -- 2001 world champion has lost just two major competitions in past three seasons, both to Olympic gold medalist and rival Alexei Yagudin. With Yagudin out with hip injury, Plushenko is overwhelming favorite to skate off with second world crown. ... Easily won Europeans and Grand Prix final despite not doing all of his tough tricks. ... Is upping the bar technically again, doing quadruple-triple-triple combination. ... Criticized in past for being too flamboyant -- he once moonwalked to a Michael Jackson tune -- he's focused on presentation, even working with choreographer from famed Kirov ballet. ... His free skate is tribute to the 300th anniversary of his native St. Petersburg, with music specially composed and arranged for him by Russian composer Igor Korniliuk.

	When he's not facing Alexi Yagudin, Evgeni Plushenko doesn't lose.

Tim Goebel, United States, 22 -- Bronze medalist at Salt Lake City Olympics, then followed with silver at world championships. ... Missed most of season with hip injury, and layoff showed as he finished second at nationals. "Quad King'' didn't land a single quadruple jump in free skate, falling on quad salchow and quad toe loop, then stepping out of another quad toe. ... Has ditched -- for now -- plan to be first man with four quads in a free skate. Look for him to do it next season. ... Has gone back to last year's free skate, the whimsical "An American in Paris,'' because injury didn't give him enough time to train new program. ... No other American man can match his technical ability, and his artistry has improved immensely since he began working with coach Frank Carroll two years ago.

Michael Weiss, United States, 26 -- Won third U.S. title in one of most bizarre men's competitions ever. Missed two quads in free skate and didn't land triple axel the entire competition, yet still wound up first. ... Two-time world bronze medalist. ... Split with longtime coach Audrey Weisiger in October and now works with Don Laws, formerly Scott Hamilton's coach. ... Got off to slow start this season, finishing fifth at Skate America. But made strides late, winning Lalique with spectacular free skate and finishing second to Plushenko at International Figure Skating Challenge. ... Has struggled with injuries and inconsistency last three seasons, barely making 2002 Olympic team. Was seventh in Salt Lake City and sixth at worlds.

Takeshi Honda, Japan, 22 -- One of skating's young guns, with big jumps and improving presentation. ... Has made steady progress, winning bronze at last year's worlds after finishing fourth in Salt Lake City. ... Bronze medal at worlds was first for Japanese man since 1977. ... Won Skate Canada and Four Continents this year, but sat out Grand Prix final with bad ankle. ... Former world champ Kurt Browning did choreography for his short program.

Brian Joubert, France, 18 -- Enjoying breakout year with win at Skate America, second-place finish at Europeans and third at Grand Prix final. ... Sure to improve on recent finishes at worlds, 13th in 2002 and 14th in 2001.

PAIRS
Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin, Russia -- On a spectacular roll, winners of every competition they've entered this season. ... Surprise winners at 2002 Europeans solidified reputation with silver medal at worlds and fourth-place finish at Salt Lake City. ... Do two different triple jumps in free skate, to "The Cotton Club.'' ... Train in Chicago area with Oleg Vasiliev, 1984 Olympic gold medalist with partner Elena Valova.

Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, China -- Reigning world champions have lost just one competition this year, finishing second to Totmianina and Marinin at Grand Prix final. ... Athleticism is their strength; their triple twist is huge, and they've landed quadruple throw salchows in practice. But artistry is still a work in progress. ... First Chinese pair to win world title.

Sarah Abitbol and Stephane Bernadis, France -- Back and finally healthy after two-year absence, 2000 world bronze medalists could add intrigue. Finished second at Europeans and Lalique. ... Missed Olympics and worlds last year after Abitbol tore Achilles' tendon a week before games began. She was off ice for six months. ... Missed 2001 worlds after Bernadis tore abdominal muscle during warmup for short program. ... Switched coaches after Europeans, now training with Jean-Christophe Simond, a two-time European men's silver medalist.

Tiffany Scott and Philip Dulebohn, United States -- U.S. champions after finishing second previous three years, but have little chance at world medal. Top five would be good finish. ... Were sixth at Skate America and had fifth-place finishes at Skate Canada and Lalique. ... Finished seventh at worlds and 13th at Olympics despite missing most of last season because Dulebohn was sidelined with stress fracture in lower back/left hip area.

DANCE
Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Averbukh, Russia -- Husband-and-wife team has been unbeatable since winning silver in Salt Lake City. Won worlds, European championships and Grand Prix final. ... Train in Delaware, and free dance is rock 'n' roll medley that's sure to please fans of their adopted country. ... He was skating with Olympic gold medalist Marina Anissina when he fell in love with Lobacheva. They teamed in 1992 and were married in 1995.

Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz, Canada -- Missed Grand Prix season because of her Achilles' tendon injury. Did Four Continents as tuneup and, no surprise, won it. Earned five perfect 6.0s for presentation, too. ... Silver medal at last worlds put them back on podium after being surprising fourth in 2001. Also won bronze medal from 1996-99. ... Poster children for judging improprieties could be helped by anonymous scoring system.

Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev, United States -- Won fifth U.S. championship despite missing Grand Prix season and making obvious slip-up in free dance. ... Sat out Grand Prix season for second straight year, this time because of tendinitis in Lang's ankle and cyst on the tendon. ... Were ninth at world championships for second time, but could move up with new scoring system. ... Have had tumultuous training life. Left Alexander Zhulin in August to train with Tatiana Tarasova and Nikoli Morosov, but Tarasova announced in December she was ending partnership with them. They're now working with Morosov.

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, United States -- Reigning world junior champs almost pulled off big upset at nationals, but settled for third straight silver after she slipped in front of judges during free dance. ... Steadily climbing international ranks, with bronze medals at both Skate America and Lalique. ... Watch for free dance to an Elvis medley, complete with sequin-covered white jumpsuit. It's a scream.