I noticed that 4 of 5 defending national champions failed to successfully defend this year and wondered what the normal experience of defending national champions has been.
Since 1952, when we went to 10 weights:
And as runs go only the four years from 2008-2011 was worse.
Since 1952, when we went to 10 weights:
- an average of 4.3 champions have returned to defend their title the next year
- an average of 2.4 of them were successful
- the average success rate is 55% (median = 60%)
- 1983 and 1992 were the best years for defenders - both went 4 for 4
- 1972 was the worst year for defenders - 0 for 2
- 2022 had the most defending champions - 8 (5 were successful)
- 1985 was the only year without a defending champion.
And as runs go only the four years from 2008-2011 was worse.
