OLYMPIC DIGEST | Japan Women Triumph Over France in Hockey Opener

Smile Japan held off France in the Olympic women's ice hockey tournament on Friday, February 6 at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.

Final score: Japan 3, France 2.

Entering the third period, the score was tied 1-1.

With less than four minutes remaining, it appeared the match would head to overtime. Then momentum changed in a hurry.

Japan forward Makoto Ito, 21, rifled a shot past France goalie Alice Philbert with only 3:30 to play in the final period.

"I really didn't think it would go in, so I was happy," Ito said after Japan's tournament opener, according to Kyodo News. "But at the end of the second period we conceded a goal due to my mistake … so I'm glad I was able to score."

Eighty seconds later, teammate Suzuka Maeda extended the lead to 3-1.

France closed the gap to 3-2 with 13.3 seconds remaining, getting a power-play goal from Gabrielle de Serres to account for the final score.

After a scoreless first period, Rui Ukita gave Smile Japan a 1-0 advantage in the second period.

The victors outshot France 38-25, including 14-8 in the decisive third period.

Olympic — *Smile Japan's Akane Shiga shoots the puck as France's Alice Philbert defends the net. (©Mike Segar/REUTERS)*

Veteran Ukita Happy with Team's Performance

According to Ukita, a four-time Olympian, it was a solid start for Japan.

"This was only our first game, but I'm really happy with how we played," Ukita told reporters, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation website. "We had good speed and got off to a good start, [and] we had lots of shots and scoring chances. Their goalie played well, but we never got frustrated. We didn't think about going into overtime."

She added, "We just wanted to keep moving and play hard, and we felt we could win the game, no matter what."

Ukita and her teammates return to the ice for their second Group B match at the Milan Cortina Olympics against Germany on Saturday, February 7 at 12:10 PM in Italy (8:10 PM JST).

Japan placed sixth at the 2022 Olympics.

Figure Skating

Japan is 2nd After 1st Day of Team Competition

Kaori Sakamoto won the women's short program on Friday in the team competition on the opening night of the three-day event in Milan.

Skating to "Time to Say Goodbye," Sakamoto earned 78.88 points. With the three-time world champion finishing in first place, the team grabbed the 10 points given to the first-place participant.

Reigning world champion Alysa Liu of the United States was second with 74.90 points. Liu added nine points to the Americans' team total.

Heading into Day 2 of the figure skating team event, defending Olympic champion Team USA leads with 25 points, followed by Beijing Games silver medalist Japan (23) and Italy (22).

Earlier Friday, US stars Madison Chock and Evan Bates placed first in the ice dance rhythm dance with 91.06 points. For Japan, Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita were eighth among 10 teams.

In the pairs short program, two-time world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara had an impressive showing with their best-ever score (82.24 points). During their dazzling performance to "Paint It Black," the Japanese duo showcased its well-developed synergy.

"We were focused on each moment and managed to give the best we could. It's one we can build on for our individual short program," Miura was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

Added Kihara, "We didn't get flustered as a whole and executed each element with calmness."

A Look Ahead

On Saturday night (3:45 AM JST on Sunday), the men's short program is on the docket. Three-time world silver medalist and 2022 Olympic runner-up Yuma Kagiyama is scheduled to compete for Japan, followed by the ice dance free dance.

The top five teams in the standings after Day 2 will advance to Sunday's final phase of competition.

Snowboarding

Ogiwara Books Top Spot for Men's Big Air Final

Hiroto Ogiwara completed men's big air qualifying in first place on Thursday in Livigno, Italy. The native of Ibaraki Prefecture received 178.5 points for his two best runs out of his three attempts.

Ogiwara elevated his profile in his chosen sport by becoming the first snowboarder to successfully execute a 2,340-degree jump (six-and-a-half rotations) in competition in January 2025. He did this at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado.

The 20-year-old's stellar snowboarding effort in Olympic qualifying gave him a four-point lead over Italy's Ian Matteoli. Japan's Kira Kimura is in third place (173.25).

Also for Japan, Taiga Hasegawa is fifth, and Ryoma Kimata, the current big air world champion, is 10th.

The top 12 among 30 entrants in qualifying advance to the final, which will be held on Saturday night (starting at 3:30 AM JST on Sunday).

Ogiwara, who performed a switch backside 1,980 and a backside 1,800 on his best two attempts, expressed confidence that he'll triumph in the final.

"I will land my tricks again in the final, so I hope everyone watches and enjoys," Ogiwara said, according to Kyodo News. "The aim, of course, is the gold medal, and I'll get it."