Without Russia's "three nests", this year's figure skating World Championships women's singles competition is somewhat lackluster, Beijing Winter Olympics bronze medalist, Japan's Hanaori Sakamoto almost won the championship with a crushing advantage, she scored a career-high 155.77 points in the free skating competition on the 25th, and the total score of 236.09 points also set a new personal record. Belgium's Hendrix and the United States' Liu Meixian won silver and bronze medals respectively.
Hanori Sakamoto was the first Japanese player to win the women's singles title at the World Championships after Masayoshi Asada in 2014.
On February 17, Japan's Hanaori Sakamoto competed in the women's singles free skating competition in figure skating at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Jianli
"This gold medal means a lot to me, I had a very difficult month, but such an experience can only be had by participating in the Winter Olympics and the World Championships, and I am very happy that I overcame these difficulties and finally came here." Hanori Sakamoto said.
Compared with the just-concluded Winter Olympics, the level of this game is somewhat embarrassing. Although Hanori Sakamoto's score set a new personal high, there is still a big gap compared with the Russian selection of the hand to break through 250 points, while Hendricks and Liu Meixian only scored 217.7 points and 211.19 points respectively.
In contrast, the ice dance event has become the most watched event at the World Championships because of the participation of local French players, the new Winter Olympic champions Papadagis and Nishizawa Long. The four-time World Championship champion duo also lived up to expectations, scoring 92.73 points with a near-perfect performance in the rhythm dance competition on the 25th, once again breaking the scoring record they set at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Japan's Hanaori Sakamoto competes in the women's singles short program of figure skating at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on February 15. Photo by Xu Zijian, Xinhua News Agency
The two American pairs Hubbell/Donohue and Jock/Bates finished second and third with 89.72 and 87.51 points, respectively.
On the 26th, the men's singles free skating and ice dance free dance events will be held at the Figure Skating World Championships.
Written by Xinhua News Agency