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Gold medalist Shimada Mao (JPN) on the ice with after the Women's Singles medal ceremony. @OIS/Bob Martin

Shimada (JPN) announces herself as the next Figure Skating star with gold in Women's Singles at Gangwon 2024 

Shimada Mao (JPN) held her nerve in the Free Skate to win gold in the Women’s Singles at the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 on Tuesday. A wonderful performance earned her 125.94 points for a combined score of 196.99.

Japan’s rising star, 15, opened her impressive program to “Benedictus” by Karl Jenkins with one of the most high-scoring elements in her toolkit, the triple Axel. She then, however, crashed on the quad toe loop, but recovered and went on to display a dreamy routine.  

Home favourite Shin Jia (KOR) had to settle for silver with a total score of 191.83 points, while Takagi Yo (JPN) rounded out the podium with bronze (183.20 points).

“I was really nervous. It’s not the best score, but I did manage to perform my style of skating out there,” Shimada, the reigning ISU World Junior champion and ISU Junior Grand Prix Final gold medalist, said after the final.

 

“I had one big mistake but other than that, I think I did well despite the nerves. I’m surrounded by a big audience, and many of them are supporting (Shin) Jia (KOR). That made me feel nervous.”

 

“Overall, I’m happy about that. It’s the best experience I’ve had so far.” 

The highly anticipated matchup between Korea’s Shin and Japan’s Shimada in the Free Skate evoked memories of the rivalry between two icons of the sport who inspired them - ice queens Kim Yuna (KOR) and Asada Mao (JPN).

With the world watching, fourteen years ago, Kim outskated Asada on the Olympic stage with a stunning display to win gold in the Women’s event at Vancouver 2010.

This time around, Shin and Shimada were going to battle it out for glory at the packed Gangneung Ice Arena.

Shin vowed to come back stronger after a disappointing Short Program on Sunday, delivering a routine that scored 66.49 points to stand in third place.

The 15-year-old Korean prodigy, however, was not able to put Shimada under enough pressure to stage an upset on home ice - despite a flawless performance.

“I was too nervous today. It was fortunate that I didn’t make any big mistakes until the end. I feel really happy to get a medal in front of the home crowd," Shin said.

 

“Because I was so nervous, while I was skating, I couldn’t skate smoothly or fast. If I had one more chance, I wish I could do better in that area.”

Shin Jia (KOR) competing in the Women's Singles at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Tuesday. @OIS/Bob Martin

French pair claim gold in Ice Dance 

In the Ice Dance, Ambre Perrier Gianesini/Samuel Blanc Klaperman (FRA) scored 92.96 points to maintain their lead from the Rhythm Dance and take home the gold medal with a 155.35 total.

Gianesini/Blanc Klaperman skated next to last and opened their expressive Free Dance program to “Oracle” and “Gris” by Berlinist with their character set sequence to set the tone for the routine.

The only major glitch came when Blanc Klaperman fell on the ice at the end of their twizzle sequence, but it did not stop them from posting the highest score in the Free Dance.

They celebrated a confident victory with almost thirteen points to spare, with Olivia Ilin/Dylan Cain (USA) securing silver as they totaled 142.38 points. Ashlie Slatter/Atl Ongay-Perez (GBR) took bronze with a score of 140.16.

Gold medalists Ambre Perrier Gianesini (FRA) and Samuel Blanc Klaperman (FRA) on the ice after the Ice Dance medal ceremony. @OIS/Joel Marklund

“It’s a new feeling that I didn’t know before, I’m so happy. Maybe you can’t see it on my face, I cry a lot. We’re both so happy, it’s our first gold medal,” Perrier Gianesini said after the final.

 

Blanc Klaperman was clear when asked about his stumble: “Don’t think and just continue.”

The French pair felt inspired by Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron’s (FRA) routine performed at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. Their compatriots won a silver medal in the Ice Dance on the same ice.

“They're the symbol of Ice Dance and They're French, so it's inspiring. We just wanted to have fun, and finish and be proud of ourselves," Perrier Gianesini said.

From seventh place to bronze

Slatter/Ongay-Perez rallied back from a faulty Short Program and turned in a strong performance to leap from seventh to claim a spectacular bronze at 140.16 points. It is Great Britain's first medal in the sport at the Youth Olympic Games. 

“We didn’t expect it. Maybe like around fourth or fifth, that’s where we thought we would come. But when we heard that we were third, honestly we shouted so loud. We were so happy with it. It was such a shock,” Slatter said.

 

“It feels good. We worked so hard. To know that we did a clean skate and got a bronze medal, we are over the moon with it.”

 

Ongay Perez added: “In the program, the last five seconds, I was just thinking about how proud I was of what we did. At the start of this week we were really tentative and cautious, but we really gave it our all this time.”

 

“The crowd was really supportive of us too. I really appreciate how they clapped for the smallest things that might seem quite easy for us, but it really makes you feel amazing.”

Bronze medalists Ashlie Slatter (GBR) and Atl Ongay-Perez (GBR) on the ice after the Ice Dance medal ceremony. @OIS/Joel Marklund

Figure Skating at Gangwon 2024 concludes on Thursday with the first-ever Team Event at the Youth Olympic Games. Full schedule can be found here.

You can watch the live stream of the competitions at Gangwon 2024 here.