Montpellier, France

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Kaori Sakamoto ISU World Figure Skating Championships Montpellier 2022   1387302960

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) competes in the Women´s Short Program at the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier, France.@ ISU

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) speeded to the lead in the Women Short Program at the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier (FRA) on Wednesday. Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx came second followed by Mariah Bell (USA).

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) claims Short Program in Montpellier

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) speeded to the lead in the Womens’ Short Program at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier (FRA) on Wednesday. Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx came second followed by Mariah Bell (USA).

Skating to “Gladiator” by Hans Zimmer, Sakamoto hit a huge double Axel, triple Lutz, triple flip-triple toe as well as level four spins and footwork. The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games bronze medalist impressed with her high speed throughout the performance and set a new personal best of 80.32 points.

Kaori Sakamoto ISU World Figure Skating Championships Montpellier 2022 1387302843

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) competes in the Women´s Short Program at the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier, France.@ ISU

“Regarding today's performance, it’s actually the first time for me to score above 80, so I am actually very happy about that. I think my performance was very speedy and I was able to land all three jumps, so I think it’s probably the best performance that I am capable of doing,” Sakamoto shared. “With the Russian skaters no longer taking part in this competition, all of the sudden I was considered to be the gold medalist candidate. In the beginning, because I wasn't really in top form, it was hard for me to try to push myself and I also felt a gap between where I was and where I wanted to be. But over the days my performance started to really pick up and gradually I was able to tell myself it wasn't really the result that counted,” she added.

Loena Hendrickx ISU World Figure Skating Championships Montpellier 2022 @ ISU 1387306350

 Loena Hendrickx (BEL) competes in the Women´s Short Program at the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier, France.@ ISU

Loena Hendrickx (BEL), who is battling a groin injury, pulled off a triple Lutz-triple toe, a triple flip and a double Axel in her program to “Caruso”. The multiple Belgian Champion posted a personal best of 75.00 points.

“I felt really confident on the ice and also my jumps were there, and although (because of) my injury I felt like I performed the best I could and I’m really satisfied with everything I did today,” the 22-year-old athlete noted. “After the Olympics, it was not my best performance there, so I wanted to show myself one last time to let the people see that I can do much better and I’m happy I could show it today and that’s why I could hang on until this event. I try to make myself as strong as possible, and not think about the injury and just enjoy.”

Loena Hendrickx ISU World Figure Skating Championships Montpellier 2022 @ ISU 1387302797 (1)

 Loena Hendrickx (BEL) competes in the Women´s Short Program at the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier, France.@ ISU

Mariah Bell’s performance to “River Flows in You” featured a triple flip-triple toeloop, a triple Lutz and double Axel. The U.S. Champion achieved a personal best as well with 72.55 points.

“I didn’t think about it much coming in — about placements — but I just wanted to skate my best. It’s a huge honor to be in third after the Short Program and exciting because it has been a little bit of time since that's happened. I’m really looking forward to the Free Skate,” Bell said.

Mariah Bell ISU World Figure Skating Championships Montpellier 2022 @ ISU 1387302573

 Mariah Bell (USA) competes in the Women´s Short Program at the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier, France.@ ISU

2020 Youth Olympic Games Champion Young You (KOR) came fourth with another clean performance on 72.08 points. 2020 World Junior bronze medalist  Alysa Liu (USA) is not far behind in fifth at 71.91 points while Nicole Schott (GER) is currently ranked sixth (67.77 points).  2018 World silver medalist Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) stepped out of her double Axel and sits in seventh position (67.03 points).

          Young You ISU World Figure Skating Championships Montpellier 2022 @ ISU 1387303165

Young You (KOR) competes in the Women´s Short Program at the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier, France.@ ISU

The schedule of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022 is as follows:

 

Wednesday, March 23:            Women and Pairs Short Programs, Opening Ceremony

Thursday, March 24:                Men’s Short Program, Pairs Free Skating

Friday, March 25:                     Ice Dance/Rhythm Dance, Women Free Skating

Saturday, March 26:                 Men’s Free Skating, Ice Dance/Free Dance

Sunday, March 27:                   Exhibition Gala

 

* Following the IOC recommendation, in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q) i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in international ice skating Competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events (Full Statement to be read on ISU website).