ID :
33029
Sat, 11/29/2008 - 23:06
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/33029
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Figure Skating: Asada leads podium sweep for Japan at NHK Trophy
TOKYO, Nov. 29 Kyodo - Reigning world champion Mao Asada of Japan produced a dazzling performance in the free skate to lead a sweep of the medals for the host country at the NHK Trophy, the sixth and final event in the Grand Prix series, on Saturday.
Asada made a sensational sequence of jumps and earned a total of 191.13 points
for a commanding victory en route to booking a spot into the Grand Prix final
for the fourth consecutive year.
Akiko Suzuki, fourth in the short program, was second for Japan with 167.64,
making a podium finish in her Grand Prix series debut, while Yukari Nakano came
third with 166.87 and also booked a ticket to the final.
Early in her free skate, Asada landed a triple axel and underrotated a second
triple axel, which was followed by a double in a combination jump.
But she more than offset the failure to nail a second triple axel with an
exquisite series of leaps, flowing step sequences and intricate spins in a
high-level performance that gave her the highest marks in the free skate at
Yoyogi national gymnasium.
''I was a little nervous but I was able to settle down with confidence once I
got started,'' said Asada, who nearly became the first woman to execute two
triple axels in a major tournament.
''I decided in the morning that I would try two triple axels. I have to prepare
for the next meet, so I will train hard to perform better than this time,'' she
said.
Asada, who stumbled slightly on her final spiral sequence, won the NHK Trophy
for the first time since 2006 and her sixth overall Grand Prix title. It was
the first time in two years that Japanese women swept the podium.
Asada will compete against South Korean rival Kim Yu Na, who is bidding for her
third consecutive title, for the first time this season at the final in South
Korea in December.
In the pairs, China's 2006 world champions Pang Qing and Tong Jian kept their
lead from the short program to win the title with 186.06. American duo John
Baldwin and Rena Inoue (161.49) took second.
In the ice dance competition, Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali of Italy took
the title with 176.67 while Japan's Cathy and Chris Reed were back in eighth.
==Kyodo
Asada made a sensational sequence of jumps and earned a total of 191.13 points
for a commanding victory en route to booking a spot into the Grand Prix final
for the fourth consecutive year.
Akiko Suzuki, fourth in the short program, was second for Japan with 167.64,
making a podium finish in her Grand Prix series debut, while Yukari Nakano came
third with 166.87 and also booked a ticket to the final.
Early in her free skate, Asada landed a triple axel and underrotated a second
triple axel, which was followed by a double in a combination jump.
But she more than offset the failure to nail a second triple axel with an
exquisite series of leaps, flowing step sequences and intricate spins in a
high-level performance that gave her the highest marks in the free skate at
Yoyogi national gymnasium.
''I was a little nervous but I was able to settle down with confidence once I
got started,'' said Asada, who nearly became the first woman to execute two
triple axels in a major tournament.
''I decided in the morning that I would try two triple axels. I have to prepare
for the next meet, so I will train hard to perform better than this time,'' she
said.
Asada, who stumbled slightly on her final spiral sequence, won the NHK Trophy
for the first time since 2006 and her sixth overall Grand Prix title. It was
the first time in two years that Japanese women swept the podium.
Asada will compete against South Korean rival Kim Yu Na, who is bidding for her
third consecutive title, for the first time this season at the final in South
Korea in December.
In the pairs, China's 2006 world champions Pang Qing and Tong Jian kept their
lead from the short program to win the title with 186.06. American duo John
Baldwin and Rena Inoue (161.49) took second.
In the ice dance competition, Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali of Italy took
the title with 176.67 while Japan's Cathy and Chris Reed were back in eighth.
==Kyodo
