[ICE TIME] Three-Time World Champion Kaori Sakamoto Leads Japan Sweep at Skate Canada

Read the full story on SportsLook - [ICE TIME] Three-Time World Champion Kaori Sakamoto Leads Japan Sweep at Skate Canada

It was a banner weekend for Japan on the Grand Prix circuit as the Hinomaru took home four of the six singles medals on offer at Skate Canada in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Three-time world titlist Kaori Sakamoto won the gold to lead a Japan sweep in the women's event on Saturday, October 26, with Rino Matsuike taking second and Hana Yoshida third. Shun Sato picked up the silver in the men's contest behind world champion Ilia Malinin of the United States on Sunday.

Sakamoto's winning total score was 201.12 points, with Matsuike netting 192.16 and Yoshida 191.37. Switzerland's Kimmy Repond came in fourth at 191.07.

Malinin dominated his competition, tallying 301.82 in the victory, some 40 points ahead of Sato in second with 261.16. South Korea's Junhwan Cha rounded out the podium in third on 260.31, while Sota Yamamoto finished fourth at 257.00.

Sakamoto Victorious Despite Mistakes in Free Skate

Leading after the short program on Friday, October 25, Sakamoto prevailed despite falling twice in her free skate to "All That Jazz." The 24-year-old hit the ice on a planned triple salchow and a triple flip. Sakamoto only managed four clean triples in her performance but was helped by earning level fours on all of her spins. Her step sequence was a level three.

"I am happy that I was able to win but I am very disappointed with the result and with the content of my performance," Sakamoto stated. "This disappointment will be taken to heart and I hope to do better at my next event. My next event is the NHK Trophy (November 8-10), so there is not much time."

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Added Sakamoto, "Once I get back home I have one week to train. So I have to hurry and intensify my training. I want to take the lessons I've learned from here and focus on free skating."

Huge Skate Canada Comeback Lands Silver for Matsuike

Despite finishing second, the 20-year-old Matsuike wowed spectators on her way to winning the free skate, vaulting from 10th place after the short program to get a medal. Competing to "Lux Aeterna," Matsuike appeared like a magical figure gliding across the ice. It was a breathtaking show that earned significant praise for her on social media.

She landed five clean triples and notched level fours on all of her spins and step sequence.

Matsuike's skating was a throwback to the days when skaters like Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hamill captivated the sport with their elegant performances, long before the focus on jumps took hold.

ISU announcer Chris Howarth was spellbound after watching Matsuike's free skate.

"That was a masterclass of skating skills," Howarth declared. "Forget the jumps. The jumps were brilliant anyway. Rino Matsuike's skating skills are just ridiculous!"

Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.

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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, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan. 

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