Legendary Plushenko returns to the ice

MOSCOW: Olympic figure skating champion Yevgeny Plushenko, making a comeback after a 3-1/2-year hiatus, has ditched pizza, chocolate and late nights as he seeks to become the first man in more than half a century to retain his title.

The flamboyant Russian, regarded as the most gifted skater of his generation, quit the sport after winning the men's gold at the 2006 Turin Olympics.

Plushenko, who turned 27 on Tuesday, made a successful return at last month's Moscow Grand Prix, outclassing the opposition with his trademark triple and quadruple jumps and elegant spins.