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Suzuki edges Asada to triumph
Source: Agencies |
November 13, 2011, Sunday
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JAPAN'S Akiko Suzuki won the NHK Trophy yesterday, holding off compatriot Mao Asada in the free skate to claim her first grand prix title in two seasons.
Suzuki, who held an eight-point lead over Asada after the short program, made several mistakes but scored 119.43 points for a total of 185.98, just 1.79 points ahead of Asada. "I'm very happy to have won my first NHK Trophy but I'm not at all satisfied with my free skate," Suzuki said. "I will reflect on my mistakes and try to improve them."
Russian skater Alena Leonova (170.68) was third.
As she did in the short program, Asada's failure to hit a triple axel on her opening element cost her valuable points. She tried the triple again yesterday but only managed a double. "I cleared my own goals, except for the triple axel," said Asada. "I skated my other elements well. I'm not yet at the level I want to be."
It was Suzuki's first victory at the senior grand prix series since the 2009 Cup of China. Her victory here, coupled with a second-place finish at Skate Canada, qualified her for the December 8-11 Grand Final in Quebec City, Canada.
The NHK Trophy in Sapporo is the fourth event of the 2011 International Skating Union's Grand Prix series.
In the men's short program, Vancouver bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi of Japan finished first, hitting all his jumps to score a personal-best 90.43 points. Takahiko Kozuka, also of Japan, was second with 79.77 points.
Brandon Mroz of the United States, who placed third with 74.83 points, made history by becoming the first skater to land a quadruple lutz in international competition. The 20-year-old hit the quadruple lutz on his opening jump.
Ice dance
In ice dance, Maia and Alex Shibutani of the US rallied from third place to win their first grand prix title. The Japanese-American pair received a personal-best 92.83 points in the free dance to capture their first senior grand prix title with a total of 151.85 points.
Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada were second with 151.76 points while Russians Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov, first after the short dance, took the bronze with 149.48 points.
The Shibutanis won the bronze at the 2011 world championships. Their previous best result at a grand prix was second place at last week's Cup of China in Shanghai.
In the pairs final, Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov of Russia won the gold after receiving 122.49 points in the free skate. The Russians were fifth after the short program but impressed with a near-flawless performance to finish with 177.51 points.
Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran of Japan were second with 172.09 points with world champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany third.
Suzuki, who held an eight-point lead over Asada after the short program, made several mistakes but scored 119.43 points for a total of 185.98, just 1.79 points ahead of Asada. "I'm very happy to have won my first NHK Trophy but I'm not at all satisfied with my free skate," Suzuki said. "I will reflect on my mistakes and try to improve them."
Russian skater Alena Leonova (170.68) was third.
As she did in the short program, Asada's failure to hit a triple axel on her opening element cost her valuable points. She tried the triple again yesterday but only managed a double. "I cleared my own goals, except for the triple axel," said Asada. "I skated my other elements well. I'm not yet at the level I want to be."
It was Suzuki's first victory at the senior grand prix series since the 2009 Cup of China. Her victory here, coupled with a second-place finish at Skate Canada, qualified her for the December 8-11 Grand Final in Quebec City, Canada.
The NHK Trophy in Sapporo is the fourth event of the 2011 International Skating Union's Grand Prix series.
In the men's short program, Vancouver bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi of Japan finished first, hitting all his jumps to score a personal-best 90.43 points. Takahiko Kozuka, also of Japan, was second with 79.77 points.
Brandon Mroz of the United States, who placed third with 74.83 points, made history by becoming the first skater to land a quadruple lutz in international competition. The 20-year-old hit the quadruple lutz on his opening jump.
Ice dance
In ice dance, Maia and Alex Shibutani of the US rallied from third place to win their first grand prix title. The Japanese-American pair received a personal-best 92.83 points in the free dance to capture their first senior grand prix title with a total of 151.85 points.
Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada were second with 151.76 points while Russians Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov, first after the short dance, took the bronze with 149.48 points.
The Shibutanis won the bronze at the 2011 world championships. Their previous best result at a grand prix was second place at last week's Cup of China in Shanghai.
In the pairs final, Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov of Russia won the gold after receiving 122.49 points in the free skate. The Russians were fifth after the short program but impressed with a near-flawless performance to finish with 177.51 points.
Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran of Japan were second with 172.09 points with world champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany third.
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