Two-time and reigning ISU World Junior Champion Mao Shimada of Japan led her teammates Kaoruko Wada and Ami Nakai to the first-ever Japanese podium sweep in the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final and completed her hat-trick. 

Overnight leader Shimada put out an elegant performance to the Japanese piece “Mado Kara Mieru” that featured six clean triple jumps and exquisite spins. However, the 16-year-old stepped out of her triple Axel and fell on her quad toe attempt and a triple loop. Nevertheless, she won the Free Skating segment with 125.74 points and totaled 199.46 points to win. 

“I am very happy to be part of that historical sweep today and am happy today we were able to prove that the Junior field in Japan is very deep indeed,” Shimada said.  

Mao Shimada (JPN) with teammates Kaoruko Wada and Ami Nakai atop the podium for the Junior Women at the ISU Grand Prix Final © ISU

Completing the hat-trick also meant a lot to Shimada: “First of all am very happy to have achieved this victory. In my performance in these three Junior Finals I was somehow uneven but I’m happy I was able to achieve the three titles. 

“In my performance today I made many mistakes that were very disappointing to me. I will have to reflect on that going forward but what I was able to achieve is a growth from last year. Last year, I let the mistakes I made affect my mind but this time I was able to overcome it and not repeat the mistakes I made in the previous event.”

Skating to “Titanic”, Wada produced six clean triples and difficult spins to score 123.98 points. With a total of 191.75 points, she claimed silver in what was her debut in the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final. 

Kaoruko Wada (JPN) made her mark in Grenoble with a silver medal in her first Junior Grand Prix Final  © ISU

“Personally this was my first participation in the Junior Grand Prix Final, but the other two skaters helped me a great deal,” the 15-year-old said. “It’s something we achieved with the support of each other and I’m very happy about it. 

“There were several under-rotations on my jumps so it’s something I will have to reflect upon and hope to improve for the next events. The good things to take away, although I was a bit nervous, I was still able to enjoy and skate freely and it’s something I’m very proud of.”

While Wada debuted in the Junior Final, Nakai competed for the third time in the event and got on to the podium for the first time. The JPG Wuxi Champion opened her charming “Cinderalla” program with an under-rotated triple Axel-triple toe combination and went on to complete four clean triples. She ranked fourth in the Free Skating with 122.32 points but held on to third place at 189.58 points overall.

Ami Nakai (JPN) was proud of her performance as she claimed the Junior Women bronze at the ISU Grand Prix Final © ISU

“This is my first podium in the Junior Final and I’m glad to be on the podium with the other two Japanese skaters here and this was a great experience for me,” Nakai shared. “I’m very proud I was able to land the triple Axel on this big competition. It was a bit under-rotated, however I made it and I’m proud of it. The remaining jumps I was able to pull together so the performance overall went pretty well.” 

Yihan Wang (CHN) placed third in the Free Skating with her excellent performance to “The Grand Master” and was fourth overall on 187.90 points. Yuseong Kim (KOR) landed a triple Axel and finished fifth (184.23 points). Stefania Gladki (FRA) came in sixth (175.39 points). 

For full entries, results and further information visit the ISU Grand Prix Final event site.

How did Skaters qualify for the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final?

Check out the final ISU Junior Grand Prix Standings:

Men      Women           Pair Skating   Ice Dance

The ISU Junior Grand Prix series consisted of seven events in Riga (LAT), Ostrava (CZE), Bangkok (THA), Ankara (TUR), Gdansk (POL), Ljubljana (SLO) and Wuxi (CHN).

More information about each ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating event:

• 28 - 31 Aug 2024                       Riga/LAT
• 04 - 07 Sep 2024                       Ostrava/CZE
• 11 - 14 Sep 2024                       Bangkok/THA
• 18 - 21 Sep 2024                       Ankara/TUR
• 25- 28 Sep 2024                        Gdansk/POL 
• 02 - 05 Oct 2024                        Ljubljana/SLO
• 09 - 12 Oct 2024                        Wuxi/CHN

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

• 05 - 08 Dec 2024                       Grenoble/FRA

 Full entry lists, results, the General Announcement and further information are available on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series page.

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