Yuzuru Hanyu claimed a second career world title ©Getty Images

Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu claimed a second Figure Skating World Championships title today in Helsinki after a superb performance in the decisive free skate.

The 22-year-old had trailed in fifth place after the short programme but a performance topped by four quadruple jumps propelled his recovery in the Hartwell Arena.

He eventually scored 321.59 points to repeat his 2014 success.

It came in a Japanese 1-2 finish in which 19-year-old Shoma Uno scored 319.31 for a first World Championship medal.

China's Jin Boyang took a second straight bronze with 303.58.

It marked the first time Asia has claimed all three medals's in the men's individual event - a good sign before next year's Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. 

It proved a disappointing day for two-time defending champion Javier Fernandez of Spain.

He went into the free-skating final in the lead but dropped to fourth after falling during a free skate riddled with uncharacteristic errors.

Yuzuru Hanyu, centre, led a Japanese one-two in the men's individual event ©Getty Images
Yuzuru Hanyu, centre, led a Japanese one-two in the men's individual event ©Getty Images

It marked a contrast from last year's event in Boston where Hanyu threw away a 12-point lead over Fernandez after the short programme.

Former three-time world champion Patrick Chan of Canada finished fifth.

Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir captured a third world title in the ice dancing competition.

Canadian darlings Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir have captured their third ice dance title at the world figure skating championships in Helsinki, Finland.

The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic champions finished with 198.62 points overall.

Moir suffered a spill in today's free skater, but a world record breaking short programme yesterday proved decisive.

French pair Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron took silver with 196.04.

Siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani took American bronze with 185.18.