Reigning world junior champion Mao Shimada says she's been inspired by retired star and three-time world champ Mao Asada's success in landing the triple axel.
During her free skate, Mao Shimada was nearly flawless as she landed eight clean triple jumps and executed the choreography of her program with precision.
Skating to "Americano" and "Composition," Mao Shimada was nearly flawless from start to finish. Yo Takagi and Ikura Kushida were second and third.
Despite falling several times while trying to land the quadruple toe loop, 14-year-old star Mao Shimada cleanly hit her triple axel repeatedly.
Women's champion Mao Shimada and men's gold medalist Kao Miura headlined Japan's four-medal haul at the World Junior Championships in Calgary.
In becoming the sixth Japanese man to claim the world junior title, Kao Miura beats runner-up Naoki Rossi of Switzerland by 44 points in Calgary.
Seizing the moment, Mao Shimada had a stunning performance highlighted by a triple axel, a quadruple toe loop and a total of eight clean triple jumps.
The rising star earns a season-best 71.78 points and sits ahead of Jia Shin by less than a point at the World Junior Championships. Ami Nakai...
Shimada, the women's title favorite at the World Junior Championships, looked especially fluid as she skated to her short program of "Lion King."
In the run-up to the World Junior Championships, Miura, Shimada and other Japanese skaters work on their routines in Calgary.
Led by the talented young skating stars, Japan has a chance to claim the men's and women's titles at the World Junior Championships for the third...
Shimada outscores Ikura Kushida and Ami Nakai in Nagano to add the Japan Junior High School Championships crown to her glistening collection.
