MOSCOW (AFP) ― Figure skating superstars Kim Yu-na and Mao Asada will rekindle their long-running rivalry in the relocated world figure skating championships starting here on Monday.

The championships, originally scheduled to take place in Tokyo a month ago, were moved to Russia following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11. All four reigning champions are back to defend their titles with the highlight the rematch between South Korea’s Kim and Japan’s Asada which dominated the 2010 season.

<YONHAP PHOTO-0810> 연아웃음 (영종도=연합뉴스) 한상균 기자 = 2011 국제빙상경기연맹(ISU) 세계선수권대회에 출전하는 김연아가 22일 피터 오피가드 코치와 인천공항을 통해 출국하고 있다. 이번 대회는 러시아 모스크바에서 열린다. 2011.4.22 xyz@yna.co.kr/2011-04-22 12:34:53/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2011 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.>
Kim Yu-na leads Mao Asada 7-6 in a rivalry going back six years.  Yonhap News
<YONHAP PHOTO-0810> 연아웃음 (영종도=연합뉴스) 한상균 기자 = 2011 국제빙상경기연맹(ISU) 세계선수권대회에 출전하는 김연아가 22일 피터 오피가드 코치와 인천공항을 통해 출국하고 있다. 이번 대회는 러시아 모스크바에서 열린다. 2011.4.22 xyz@yna.co.kr/2011-04-22 12:34:53/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2011 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Kim Yu-na leads Mao Asada 7-6 in a rivalry going back six years. Yonhap News

Olympic champion Kim beat Asada to gold in Vancouver but has not competed since losing her world title to Asada in Turin last year. Since then Kim split with Brian Orser, the coach who had helped her win Olympic gold, for reasons that remain unclear, and now trains in California with former Olympic pairs medalist Peter Oppegard.

Kim Yu-na leads Mao Asada 7-6 in a rivalry going back six years. (Yonhap News)

In the absence of her perennial rival, two-time world champion Asada has struggled this season, overshadowed by compatriot Miki Ando, the 2007 world champion, and settling for silver at nationals.

But the scene is nevertheless set for a much-anticipated clash between the Asian golden girls with Kim the favorite if she hits all her jumps and skates cleanly. She leads Asada 7-6 in a rivalry going back six years.

Podium challengers include Grand Prix final winner Alissa Czisny of the United States, three-time uropean champion Carolina Kostner of Italy and American Rachael Flatt.