This article first appeared on SportsLook, JAPAN Forward's dedicated sports website.
SAPPORO ― World champions Shoma Uno and Kaori Sakamoto practiced on Thursday, November 17 at Makomanai Arena ahead of Friday's short program at the NHK Trophy. The two Olympic medalists came through their workouts unscathed and will head into the competition as prohibitive favorites.
Both Uno and Sakamoto can lock up places in next month's Grand Prix Final in Turin, Italy, with victories here this weekend.
Uno worked his free skate to "Air on the G String" during the afternoon session, while Sakamoto went through her paces to her free program number "Elastic Heart."
After having won Skate Canada last month, Uno landed a quad flip and a quad toe loop but said afterward he has been struggling with the former.
"My frustrations were evident. They were reflected by my expression," Uno stated. "I was frustrated that it wasn't going my way. And I don't want to give up. I want to do my best every time."
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Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, here, and find him on Twitter @sportsjapan.
