Japan’s Mai Mihara struck her first ISU Grand Prix gold in Sheffield after narrowly missing the podium many times. Isabeau Levito (USA) earned the silver medal, her second on the circuit, while Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia earned the bronze in her debut at the ISU Grand Prix – taking the first ISU Grand Prix medal for a female Figure Skater from Georgia.
Mai Mihara of Japan wins gold in the Women's Free Skating MK John Wilson Trophy in Sheffield (GBR) © ISU
Mihara, who has seven fourth place finishes, one silver and one bronze on her record, since starting to compete on the ISU Grand Prix circuit in 2016, gave it her all on the ice in Sheffield.
Skating last, the overnight leader turned in a passionate performance to “El Amor Brujo”, by Manuel de Falla, that featured five clean triples, including a triple Lutz-triple toe combination. Two more triples, a flip and a toe, were slightly underroated. The reigning ISU Four Continents Champion scored 145.20 points, just below her personal best, and racked up 217.43 points overall for victory.
“I am really happy now, because I finished fourth many times,” Mihara said. “I thought I can’t make it to the podium, but my coach told me you can get a medal - and you can even be on the top. I couldn’t believe it. I am so happy to be here and achieve this gold medal.”
Levito opened her performance to “My Sweet and Tender Beast” with a triple Lutz-triple loop combination. Five more triples and level-four spins followed and the reigning ISU World Junior Champion achieved a new personal best with 143.68 points. Overall she accumulated 215.74 points.
Isabeau Levito (USA) takes silver in the Women's Free Skating MK John Wilson Trophy in Sheffield (GBR) © ISU
The ambitious teenager was still not too pleased with herself.
“It was pretty good, but it was definitely short of perfection. I was slightly disappointed in my triple Lutz-triple loop combination. I know I can do it better and I was a little upset when it wasn’t absolutely perfect,” she said.
However, with her silver medal from Skate America and silver in the MK John Wilson Trophy, Levito most likely has qualified for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating final. This lifted her mood right away.
“I am very happy to go to the final. That was my goal and I’m pretty happy I achieved that,” she said.
Gubanova’s program to Indian music featured five clean triple jumps. The Georgian Skater earned 126.29 points and ranked fifth in the Free Skating, but remained in third place at 193.11 points overall.
Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia claims bronze in the Women's Free Skating MK John Wilson Trophy in Sheffield (GBR) © ISU
“I am just happy to be here,” the 19-year-old said. “This was my first senior-level Grand Prix event and I am glad that I won this medal for my country, Georgia, that I represented in competition.”
Young You (KOR) was ranked third in the Free Skating and moved up to fourth place at 191.36 points, just ahead of Ekaterina Kurakova (POL) on 190.44 points. Nicole Schott (GER) came sixth at 181.41 points.
Schedule of the event
The schedule is as follows:
Friday, November 11: Pairs & Men’s Short Program
Saturday, November 12: Women’s Short Program, Rhythm Dance, Pairs & Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, November 13: Women’s Free Skating, Free Dance, Exhibition Gala
The MK John Wilson Trophy in Sheffield (GBR) November 10-13, 2022, is the fourth of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. Great Britain hosts an ISU Grand Prix (senior level) event for the first time.
More than 150 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members have been invited to the Series. The maximum number of entries for each event is 12 Ladies, 12 Men, 8 Pairs and 10 Ice Dance couples.
The General Announcement of the 2022/23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available here. The individual announcements are published under the respective events. Full entry lists and further information are available on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series page.
Selection Criteria
In order for a Skater/Couple to be eligible to compete at an ISU Grand Prix event, a minimum total score must have been achieved in the 2021/22 or current 2022/23 season in an ISU event (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, Championships) or a Challenger Series event. Exceptions apply to host country Skaters, previously ranked Skaters or split ranked Couples who return with new partners. The minimum total score is 3/5 of highest score per discipline at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022 and are as follows: Women: 141.65, Men: 187.49, Pairs: 132.65, Ice Dance: 137.89.
Following the IOC recommendation and 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. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).
Grand Prix Standings
Men Women Ice Dance Pair Skating
Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed on the official ISU YouTube Channel in most countries. Find out where to watch the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions.
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ISU Grand Prix Schedule
The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are available below:
21 - 23 Oct, 2022 Skate America, Norwood (USA)
28 – 30 Oct, 2022 Skate Canada International, Mississauga (CAN)
04 - 06 Nov, 2022 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
11 - 13 Nov, 2022 MK John Wilson Trophy, Sheffield (GBR)
18 - 20 Nov, 2022 NHK Trophy, Sapporo (JPN)
25 - 27 Nov, 2022 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
08 - 11 Dec, 2022 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Torino (ITA)
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their Grand Prix events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.
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