Mao Shimada leads Japanese Junior Women to Short Program sweep in Grenoble

FIGURE SKATING

Mao Shimada leads Japanese Junior Women to Short Program sweep in Grenoble

06 Dec 2024

Two-time and reigning ISU World Junior Champion Mao Shimada of Japan led her teammates Kaoruko Wada and Ami Nakai to a Japanese podium sweep in the Short Program.

Shimada turned in an exquisite performance to “Defying Gravity”, and she defied gravity indeed - nailing a double Axel, triple flip and triple Lutz-triple toe combination. Her excellent spins merited a level four and the two-time ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champion achieved a new seasons best with 73.72 points, just below her personal best.

“Today I had pressure but it wasn’t a bad pressure but rather good one. It motivated me to perform well,” Shimada said. “I will not think about being perfect (in the Free Skating) because that would cause mistakes but I will think about landing all the jumps. There’s three Japanese skaters placing in the top three and I will do my best to keep all three of us in the lead.”

Mao Shimada (JPN) led the way in the Junior Women Short Program at the ISU Grand Final © ISU

Performing to “How Does a Moment Last Forever”, Wada impressed with her solid jumps double Axel, triple flip and triple Lutz-triple toe as well as with beautiful spins. She only had a little stumble in her step sequence. The JGP Ostrava Champion netted 67.77 points.

“I was really excited for this performance and honestly I had a lot of fun,” Wada noted. “I felt good and was not nervous at all. I’m a little disappointed about the mistake on the step sequence but overall it was a good performance where I could show my smile. Now I’m going to prepare for the free program and I hope I can have as much fun.”

Kaoruko Wada (JPN) wowed the crowd in Grenoble in the Junior Women Short Program at the ISU Grand Final © ISU

To the delight of the French crowd, Nakai skated to French music with “Les parapluies de Cherbourg”. She delivered the elements as well: a double Axel, triple flip and triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination as well as two level-four spins. The JGP Wuxi Champion earned 67.26 points.

“I was very nervous, I was stressed when I heard my name,” Nakai admitted. “I did my best, I’m happy to do that performance here in France and I’m happy about what I was able to do.”

Asked about her music choice, she replied: “It was both liking the song and the thought about the French audience crossed my mind - that the finals were in Grenoble. It helped.”

Yihan Wang (CHN) came fourth on 64.52 points, just ahead of Yuseong Kim (KOR) with 64.42 points and home crowd favorite Stefania Gladki (FRA) on 62.31 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: