Defending champion Shoma Uno will face an uphill battle against American "Quad God" Ilia Malinin when he attempts to win his third consecutive world figure skating title in March.

"I know I have to deliver the best performance of my career, otherwise I can't win," Uno told a press conference Monday in Nagano, central Japan, looking ahead to the world championships in Montreal.

Uno's comments came a day after he claimed his sixth career national title, holding off his rival and fellow Beijing Olympics medalist Yuma Kagiyama.

Figure skater Shoma Uno (C) speaks during a press conference in Nagano, central Japan, on Dec. 25, 2023, alongside Kaori Sakamoto (L) and Yuma Kagiyama. (Kyodo)

Uno also hinted that he may increase the total number of quadruple jumps during his free skate to five, and four types, from four, and three types, to rack up more points against Malinin.

Uno revealed he plans to resume work on his quad salchow, saying, "I'll go for it if my condition allows."

In the most recent Uno-Malinin encounter, Malinin won the Grand Prix Final in dominant fashion in early December with a total score of 314.66, the world's third highest of all time and about 17 points more than runner-up Uno.

Uno said after the Grand Prix Final in Beijing that Malinin's jumping skills have gotten too good and make the Japanese star feel no one can exceed Malinin's level in that department "for several decades."

Ilia Malinin of the United States performs in the men's free program at the Grand Prix Final figure skating competition in Beijing on Dec. 9, 2023. (Kyodo)

Uno, Kagiyama and Kao Miura will represent Japan in the men's competition of the world championships, while the women's side will feature Kaori Sakamoto, Mone Chiba and Hana Yoshida.

The six skaters attended the press conference in Nagano.

"I'll raise the level of my program components and the quality of my performance," said Kagiyama, who earned silver medals at the 2021 and 2022 world championships before missing the 2023 meet due to an ankle injury.

Figure skaters (from L) Hana Yoshida, Mone Chiba, Kaori Sakamoto, Shoma Uno, Yuma Kagiyama and Kao Miura pose for a photo in Nagano, central Japan, on Dec. 25, 2023. The six will compete at the world championships in Montreal in March 2024.

Sakamoto will attempt to become the first female skater in 56 years to win three times in a row at the world championships.

The three-peat is "a goal I want to achieve," Sakamoto said. "I'd like to give my perfect performance."

Related coverage:

Figure skating: Shoma Uno wins 6th Japan title, books ticket to worlds

Figure skating: Sakamoto reigns supreme at Japan national championships