Japan Open 2023: Team Japan triumphs in Saitama after Sakamoto Kaori and Ilia Malinin secure individual wins - full results

Team Japan came out on top in the Japan Open figure skating competition in the Saitama Super Arena on Saturday (7 October).

In the venue that she retained her world title in March, Sakamoto Kaori gave the hosts the start they wanted with a score of 149.59 in the free program only event.

Belgium's two-time world medallist Loena Hendrickx was second for Team Europe with 140.31 ahead of Isabeau Levito (135.63) representing Team North America.

Mariah Bell, who retired from competitive skating a year ago, only scored 103.95 to leave North America with a significant deficit going into the men's section.

Japan's Miyahara Satoko, also coming out of retirement for this event, was fourth out of six with 123.22 just ahead of Swiss youngster Kimmy Repond.

And their chances of overall victory were gone when veteran Jason Brown struggled badly with his jumping, scoring just 144.38.

He was not the only one with Team Europe finishing third out of three after Georgia's Morisi Kvitelashvili and Kevin Aymoz of France both fell on quad attempts.

Solid skates from Tomono Kazuki and Shimada Koshiro all but guaranteed victory for Team Japan - despite world champion Uno Shoma opting only to skate in the exhibition in Saitama - with just world bronze medallist Ilia Malinin left to skate.

The 18-year-old American landed his quad Axel, albeit with a step, and his high technical element component gave him the best score of the day despite his jumping not quite being on point.

He scored 193.91 to take Team North America into second place on 577.87, some way behind Japan's winning total of 614.79.

Japan Open 2023: Results

Women's free skate

1. Sakamoto Kaori (JPN) - Team Japan - 149.59
2. Loena Hendrickx (BEL) - Team Europe - 140.31
3. isabeau Levito (USA) - Team North America - 135.63
4. Miyahara Satoko (JPN) - Team Japan - 123.22
5. Kimmy Repond (SUI) - Team Europe - 122.63
6. Mariah Bell (USA) - Team North America - 103.95

Men's free skate

1. Ilia Malinin (USA) - Team North America - 193.91
2. Tomono Kazuki (JPN) - Team Japan - 177.72
3. Shimada Koshiro (JPN) - Team Japan - 164.26
4. Kevin Aymoz (FRA) - Team Europe - 155.20
5. Jason Brown (USA) - Team North America - 144.38
6. Morisi Kvitelashvili (GEO) - Team Europe - 125.17

Overall standings

1. Team Japan 614.79
2. Team North America 577.87
3. Team Europe 543.31

Japan Open 2023: How to watch

The event is available on paid livestreams. Fans globally can watch on Zaiko, while Japanese fans can find the stream on PIA. 

The ISU provides a “where to watch” page for its international events, as well.