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Asada triumphs to secure berth for Olympics at Japan nationals
Source: Agencies |
December 28, 2009, Monday
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MAO Asada won the Japan women's national figure skating championships in Osaka yesterday to secure a place in the Vancouver Olympic team.
Asada, first after the short program, began the free skate with a triple axel and was solid the rest of the way to finish with 204.62 points for her fourth straight national title.
"I'm glad that I had no major mistakes today," Asada said. "I was just trying to concentrate on my program and wasn't thinking about a fourth title but I did have the Olympics in mind."
Akiko Suzuki was second with 195.90 points, just .17 points ahead of Yukari Nakano. Miki Ando, who has already secured a place in the 2010 Olympics, was fourth with 185.44 points.
Asada had struggled in the International Skating Union's Grand Prix series this season and was looking to re-establish herself as a gold medal contender at the Olympics with a strong performance at the nationals.
Daisuke Takahashi wrapped up a place in the Olympics on Saturday by winning the men's event and will join Nobunari Oda in Vancouver.
Takahashi, who was first after the short program, made several mistakes in the free skate but was good enough to finish first with a total of 261.13 points.
"I'm happy to be Japan champion but I'm not completely satisfied with my performance tonight," Takahashi said. "I have some time to practice before the Olympics and need to improve physically and mentally."
Takahashi stumbled on his opening quad toeloop and a triple loop later in his routine but finished 17 points ahead of Nobunari Oda.
Oda, who had already secured a place in Vancouver, fell on his opening quad toeloop but was solid the rest of the way and finished second with 244.30 points.
Takahiko Kozuka was third with 236.16 points.
Asada, first after the short program, began the free skate with a triple axel and was solid the rest of the way to finish with 204.62 points for her fourth straight national title.
"I'm glad that I had no major mistakes today," Asada said. "I was just trying to concentrate on my program and wasn't thinking about a fourth title but I did have the Olympics in mind."
Akiko Suzuki was second with 195.90 points, just .17 points ahead of Yukari Nakano. Miki Ando, who has already secured a place in the 2010 Olympics, was fourth with 185.44 points.
Asada had struggled in the International Skating Union's Grand Prix series this season and was looking to re-establish herself as a gold medal contender at the Olympics with a strong performance at the nationals.
Daisuke Takahashi wrapped up a place in the Olympics on Saturday by winning the men's event and will join Nobunari Oda in Vancouver.
Takahashi, who was first after the short program, made several mistakes in the free skate but was good enough to finish first with a total of 261.13 points.
"I'm happy to be Japan champion but I'm not completely satisfied with my performance tonight," Takahashi said. "I have some time to practice before the Olympics and need to improve physically and mentally."
Takahashi stumbled on his opening quad toeloop and a triple loop later in his routine but finished 17 points ahead of Nobunari Oda.
Oda, who had already secured a place in Vancouver, fell on his opening quad toeloop but was solid the rest of the way and finished second with 244.30 points.
Takahiko Kozuka was third with 236.16 points.
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