Tokyo, 27 March, /AJMEDIA
Japan’s Shoma Uno won his first figure skating world championship on Saturday, with compatriot Yuma Kagiyama earning men’s silver for the second straight year.
Uno, who led from the short program, overcame a pair of awkward landings in a free skate that included five quad jumps and earned him a career-best 202.85 points for a 312.48 total at the Sud de France Arena outside Montpellier, France.
Kagiyama totaled 297.60, while Vincent Zhou of the United States was third with 277.38.
A two-time world silver medalist, Uno wrapped up his season in the best possible way after winning individual and team bronze at last month’s Beijing Olympics.
“I worked very hard to get here. I wanted to put it all together at the end with the short program and free skate, and I’m so happy to actually win,” Uno said.
After a few early hiccups, Kagiyama, the men’s Olympic silver medalist, delivered a solid performance that got stronger and slicker as he went on.
“I was pretty nervous, and that cost me, but I intend to learn from my mistakes and get stronger,” Kagiyama said.
Neither three-time defending champion and Olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen of the United States, nor Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu, a two-time world champion, competed at this year’s worlds.
Japan’s Kazuki Tomono entered the free skate in third place behind Uno and Kagiyama but struggled with his landings for a 168.25 score that left him off the podium.
