Shoma Uno (JPN) leads the Men’s Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix in Chongqing, China © ISU
World Champion Shoma Uno (JPN) shone and skated to a strong lead as the Cup of China continued Friday in Chongqing (CHN) with the Men’s Short Program. The Cup of China is the fourth of six events of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The top Figure Skaters of the World compete and collect points towards the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10.
Shoma Uno (JPN) seizes commanding lead
Two-time ISU World Champion Shoma Uno of Japan shone in the Men’s Short Program to skate to a strong lead in what was an event filled with surprises. France’s ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa came second, trailing Uno by almost 14 points. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan outskated some of the other favorites to place third.
Performing to “I Love You Kung Fu” and “Clair de Lune”, Uno showed off exquisite skating, hitting his trademark quad flip, a quad toe-triple toe combination, as well as a triple Axel. The Japanese Champion earned a level four for his spins and a level three for the footwork to score 105.25 points.
“I did a good job with the jumps today and the whole package. The speed was not as good,” Uno observed.
“As for the presentation, I don’t’ think I did such a good job. At this competition, I don’t think about the result or the points, I just want to show my program,” he continued.
Siao Him Fa opened his Blues program to “The Prophet” with a quad Lutz and followed up with a triple Axel.
Adam Siao Him Fa of France in the Men’s Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix in Chongqing, China © ISU
However, the Grand Prix de France Champion fell on his quad toe and had no combination. The Frenchman salvaged points with his high-level spins and footwork to earn 91.21 points.
“It was my second Grand Prix in a row and I did not have a lot of time to train at home, so I am quite happy with what I did,” the French Champion noted.
He had to overcome another challenge as his skating boot broke in the practice on Thursday.
“Luckily I brought a spare pair with me. It was quite terrible yesterday, but it was OK and I had enough time to manage this. I tried not to panic too much. Luckily it happened yesterday and not at the event,” he said.
Shaidorov’s program to “The Matrix” included a quad Lutz, triple Axel and a quad toe-triple toe and two level-four spins. The ISU World competitor posted a new personal best with 89.94 points.
Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) in the Men’s Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix in Chongqing, China © ISU
“Today I got a personal best score. Everything went as planned, but there is still room to grow,” the Kazakh skater said.
“This is my first competition where I am in such a high placement after the short program.
“I am happy to sit here with such great skaters as Shoma Uno and Adam Siao Him Fa. It is a big surprise for me. I used to watch them skating and I now I am competing on the same ice with them.”
Two-time ISU World bronze medalist Boyang Jin (CHN) placed fourth with a season’s best performance and 87.44 points. Gabriele Frangipani (ITA) came fifth on 85.19 points followed by Kazuki Tomono (JPN) on 80.50 points. Skate Canada Champion Sota Yamamoto (JPN) disappointed with errors on his jumps to come eighth (75.48 points).
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series consists of six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Grand Prix de France, Cup of China, the Grand Prix Espoo (FIN) and NHK Trophy (JPN). Skaters collect points towards to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN).
ISU Grand Prix Standings
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Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed with English commentary on the official ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 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:
20 - 22 Oct, 2023 Skate America, Allen (Texas, USA)
27 – 29 Oct, 2023 Skate Canada International, Vancouver (CAN)
03 - 05 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
10 - 12 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Cup of China, Chongqing (CHN)
17 - 19 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
24 - 26 Nov, 2023 NHK Trophy, Osaka (JPN)
07 - 10 Dec, 2023 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Beijing (CHN)
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