Sakamoto Kaori retains All-Japan title in style to punch ticket to World Championships
The reigning world champion will defend her crown in Saitama in March after outclassing her compatriots in Osaka. Grand Prix Final winner Mihara Mai should join her after taking second place.
Figure Skating
All’s well that ends well.
Sakamoto Kaori retained the women’s title at the All-Japan Figure Skating Championships in Osaka on Saturday (24 December), bouncing back from an empty-handed ISU Grand Prix Final just two weeks ago.
Despite what was seen as a deep competitive field in the build-up, Sakamoto finished with a winning margin of almost 14 points thanks to a final total of 233.05 points. Unofficially, that is the highest mark in the world this year.
In the free skate, Sakamoto scored 155.26, a full 10 points clear of Grand Prix Final winner Mihara Mai, her friend and teammate under coach Nakano Sonoko.
Mihara finished with a 219.93 total after posting 145.23 in the free.
Rounding out the podium was Junior Grand Prix Final champion, 14-year-old phenom Shimada Mao (202.79), who shone on her All-Japan debut despite falling on her opening two jumps.
With her third career title at the nationals, Sakamoto also secured her place at the Saitama World Championships in March. The official team announcement is on Sunday.
“I thought I might barely tip 150 in the free so I was a little surprised," Sakamoto said. “I was more calm than I was for the short program.
“The score is a reflection of the work I’ve been putting in since last year because it doesn’t rise just like that. I’m really happy with the outcome here but I need to build on this for the future.
“The World Championships are in March, which seems like it’s far away but it isn’t. I need to push myself until then, to make sure I am 100 per cent ready."
Sakamoto gets it right on the night
At the Grand Prix Final in Turin, Italy, Sakamoto unravelled in the free program. But not this time.
She nailed every jump, including the triple flip-triple toeloop combo which has been a thorn in her side. It was a flawless performance from start to finish.
“Today, I didn’t slow down in the second half and really felt free on the ice. I think it’s the best I’ve ever felt and I skated with confidence," said the 22-year-old. “I finally got all my jumps down. This is the best I can do now but I like to think I still have more to offer.
“After the free I was absolutely spent. I couldn’t even celebrate I was so tired. I’m just really glad with how things turned out."
Mihara will see in the New Year with another strong showing behind her after three Grand Prix victories, including the final, this season.
The 23-year-old should also be a lock for the Worlds, and is finally fulfilling her promise after being sidelined for all of 2019-20 due to illness. The absence cost her a place on the Beijing 2022 Olympic team.
Having overcome what she's overcome, Mihara is not taking any of her recent success for granted - not now, not ever.
"I’ve been competing on a consistent basis. It’s been hard on my legs but I’ve set the bar high for myself," she said.
"I managed to get through some tough times. I’ve experienced a lot. I’ve been telling myself I won’t hit rock bottom like I did last year. Compared to back then, this is way better. I’ve progressed.
"I've never seen so many banners of me in my life. I want to skate well as a token of appreciation for all the support I've had."
Takahashi completes historic men's, ice dance double
At the third time of asking, Muramoto Kana and Takahashi Daisuke finally claimed the national ice dance title.
They scored 186.61 to get the better of the four-time defending champions and Beijing 2022 Olympians Komatsubara Misato/Takeru (175.10).
Takahashi became the first skater to win both the men's singles and ice dance crowns at the All-Japans. The Vancouver 2010 bronze medallist won the event five times (2005-07, 2009, 2011) as a singles skater.
“Before I got into ice dance, I wasn’t thinking about this at all," Takahashi said. "But to have won both categories at the nationals does mean something to me.
“I never imagined I’d be standing in the middle of the podium when I first started. Even at 36 I feel like I’m getting better at something.
"I’ve given myself a nice Christmas gift."
Performing to 'Phantom of the Opera' - the music Takahashi used in 2006-07 - Muramoto/Takahashi waltzed through the routine flawlessly with the crowd all but set to erupt.
But on the closing lift, Takahashi failed to gather enough thrust to bring up Muramoto who spilled out of his arms, leading to a two-point deduction in their score of 108.91.
Yet with a nine-point cushion from the rhythm dance, and the Komatsubaras receiving what seemed a harsh mark of 105.14, Muramoto/Takahashi were still able to celebrate their first national crown.
“The mistake at the end, that was pretty much all me. I thought I’d blown it," Takahashi said of the fall.
“I wanted to leap for joy but I was thinking more about the mistake. I won’t be able to sleep tonight. I’m thrilled but frustrated at the same time. I’m going to drink this off!"
Schedule for All-Japan Figure Skating Championships 2022 (all times local JST, UTC+9):
Sunday 25 December
Pair's free program - 15:30
Men's free program - 17:00