The “new Mao” (Shimada) of Japan edged Korea’s 2022 World Junior silver medalist Jia Shin by 0.55 points in the Junior Women’s Short Program. Chaeyeon Kim, also from Korea, celebrated her 16th birthday by coming third.
Performing to ‘The Lion King’, Shimada, who was named for three-time ISU World Champion Mao Asada (JPN), hit the triple loop, double Axel, a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination and three level-four spins to score 69.66 points.
Mao Shimada (JPN) leads the Junior Women's competition after the Short Program and has big plans for Saturday's Free Skate © ISU
“Right after the performance I thought I skated well but after checking the protocol the marks were short and the steps were level 3 so I regret it and want to do better next time,” Shimada said.
“For my free skate I will put a triple Axel and a quad [toe] but so far I didn’t land both [in one program] so this is my goal - to land both and even if I fall on one of them I want to make sure I nail the other jumps after.”
Shin looked very sharp in her program to ‘The Giving’ by Michael W. Smith as well. She produced a triple Lutz-triple toe, double Axel and triple loop and picked up a level four for two spins and the step sequence. The 2022 World Junior Champion earned 69.11 points.
Jia Shin (KOR) admitted to pre-skate nerves but shook off the anxiety to finish less than a point off the lead © ISU
“Before the start I was really nervous but at the time I started the nervousness was released and then step by step I performed and then finished [well],” the 14-year-old noted.
“Before coming here I had a national competition in Korea, just several days ago, so I was really tired but it's OK. I performed well there [at the national event].”
Kim, who celebrated her 16th birthday on Thursday, completed a double Axel, triple loop and difficult spins and steps in her routine to ‘Everybody Knows’ by Sigrid, but her triple Lutz in combination with a triple toe was slightly underrotated (q). The JGP Egna silver medalist picked up 66.71 points.
Chaeyeon Kim (JPN) celebrated her 16th birthday by taking third place in the Short Program in Torino (ITA) © ISU
“It wasn’t perfect. I feel so-so about it. Today was a little bit good, but Saturday will be better. I felt a bit nervous. But I got about 30 birthday messages,” Kim shared.
Ami Nakai (JPN) remains close to the podium in fourth place at 65.97 points. Minsol Kwon (KOR) finished fifth (59.91 points) ahead of Hana Yoshida (JPN) who missed her triple Lutz (55.51 points).
Schedule of the event
The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, December 8: Junior Men, Junior Pairs, Junior Women’s Short Programs, Pairs & Men’s Short Programs
Friday, December 9: Junior Rhythm Dance, Junior Women’s & Pairs Free Skating, Rhythm Dance & Women’s Short Program
Saturday, December 10: Men’s, Junior Pairs & Junior Men’s Free Skating, Junior Free Dance, Free Dance, Women’s Free Skating
Sunday, December 11: Exhibition Gala
The ISU Junior Grand Prix started in August with the event in Courchevel (FRA) and continued in September and October in Ostrava (CZE), Riga (LAT), Gdansk (POL) and Egna-Neumarkt (ITA). The event in Yerevan (ARM) had to be cancelled due to safety concerns and the entries were allocated to the three remaining events. Gdansk hosted two events, taking over for Grenoble (FRA) that returned one JGP.
Full entry lists, results, the General Announcement and further information are available on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series page.
Selection Criteria
A total of 367 young Skaters/Couples from over 50 ISU Members competed in this year’s Series. Each ISU Member is entitled to enter competitors for the Series while the number of their entries depends on the result of the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2022.
Following the IOC recommendation and in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).
Junior Grand Prix Standings
Men Women Ice Dance Pair Skating
Where to Watch
The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are live streamed on the official ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating YouTube Channel in most countries. Find out where to watch the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions.
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ISU Junior Grand Prix Schedule
The schedules of each ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are available below:
24 - 27 Aug 2022 Courchevel/FRA
31 Aug - 3 Sept 2022 Ostrava/CZE
7 - 10 Sept 2022 Riga/LAT
21 - 24 Sept 2022 Yerevan/ARM (cancelled)
28 Sept - 1 Oct 2022 Gdansk/POL
5 - 8 Oct 2022 Gdansk/POL
12 - 15 Oct 2022 Egna/ITA
08 - 11 Dec 2022 ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Torino (ITA)
