Despite a flurry of jump issues, Winter Youth Olympics champion Mao Shimada extended her incredible streak of victories in international competitions to nine.
Winter Youth Olympics gold-medal favorite Shimada landed all of her jumps and is in prime position to capture the women's title in South Korea.
Japan has a strong record of success in figure skating at the Winter Youth Olympics. Shimada and Nakata are poised to add to the nation's medal...
The top scorer on the Junior Grand Prix circuit this season, Mao Shimada rises to the occasion in the free skate after a disappointing short program.
At the Japan Junior Championships, the top four women's skaters are separated by less than three points. Two-time reigning champ Mao Shimada is fourth.
With a victory in Shiga Prefecture, world junior champion Mao Shimada would become the third three-time women's winner at the Japan Junior Championships.
Aiming to repeat as JGP Final champ, Mao Shimada booked a spot in the prestigious event with a strong performance in the Armenian capital.
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.
Ami Nakai, Mone Chiba, Koshiro Shimada, Sena Miyake and Takeru Kataise are scheduled to skate in the senior competitions at the Coupe du Printemps.