Kaori Sakamoto defends World title
2023 World Figure Skating Championships Women’s Free Skate Kaori Sakamoto of Japan defended her title at the 2023 World Figure Skating Championships on home ice in Saitama. Haein Lee of […]
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Lots of movement in the Women's FS but a huge congrats to Sakamoto!!!
2023 European Champion Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia and 2023 Four Continents silver medalist Yelim Kim of South Korea both struggled at this event. They finished 14th and 18th, respectively.
"I somehow did not feel well starting this morning," confessed Gubanova. "I don't know why, maybe just the tiredness of the whole season came together. I tried to pull myself together and it worked in the first half of the program, but not in the second half. I'll get a little rest, then we'll start all over again. However, maybe we go to the World Team Trophy and then I'll get ready for that first."
"I don't know what happened," said Kim. "My practice this morning went well. I didn't feel tired ahead of the event, but now I feel very tired. After my skate, I was very disappointed, but when I heard the cheers from the fans, it really cheered me up!"
Kim said the highlight of the season for her were the Challenger and Grand Prix series. The 20-year-old won both of her Challenger events earlier in the season before taking silver at the Grand Prix event in France and gold at NHK Trophy.
"I reached my main goal for the season, reaching the Grand Prix Final," she said. "So, I am overall pleased. I hope to maybe compete at World Team Trophy, but after that, I want to take a break. I will get two new programs next season, but I have no idea yet about choreographers or music."
What are your thoughts? Who impressed you the most?
I have to say that I was mesmerized by Nicole Schott's routine - Kudos to her! Here's wishing her lots of fun and much-deserved rest on her trip to Scandinavia with her boyfriend!
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