TOKYO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Sochi Winter Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu told Japanese media Thursday that Denis Ten of Uzbekistan clashed into him intentionally during practice at the world championships in Boston.

Hanyu, 21, said he watched videos of the incident which occurred before Wednesday's short program and came to this conclusion.

"I've watched the video and I think that was probably intentional," Hanyu told Japanese media. "But I still shouldn't have got angry at him -- that was pointless."

The Japan Skating Federation is set to file a formal protest to the International Skating Union.

2015 worlds runner-up Hanyu now stands first with 110.56 points after the men's short program, ahead of defending champion Javier Fernandez of Spain on 98.52.