Kao Miura (JPN) wins the Men’s short Program in the World Junior Figure Skating, Calgary, Alberta (CAN) © ISU
Kao Miura (JPN) earned a confident lead as the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships continued in Calgary, AB (CAN) Thursday with the Junior Men’s Short Program.
Kao Miura (JPN) takes first step
Newly minted ISU Four Continents Champion Kao Miura of Japan took the first step on his road to redemption at the ISU World Junior Championships by winning the Short Program with a little over four points to spare. Canada’s Wesley Chiu came second followed by Naoki Rossi of Switzerland.
Miura opened his passionate Tango program with a triple loop and followed up with a triple Axel and level-four flying camel spin. However, the triple flip-triple toe combination was somewhat wobbly. The 17-year-old earned a level for the spins and the footwork to score 85.11 points.
“Today I was very nervous,” admitted Miura. “All season long, I skated a senior program and the junior requirements is different so I was nervous. Somehow I managed.”
He also remembered well his Short Program at Junior Worlds a year ago that did not go well at all.
“Last year I was injured for sure, but already in the short program I came 20th so I was really behind in my game. That was a bad image that I had, but I was able to put that aside this year and funnel that frustration into a good performance today,” Miura explained.
Skating to “Vincent” by Govardo, Chiu nailed a triple loop and a triple Axel. The landing of his triple Lutz was shaky, but he nevertheless tacked a triple toe to it. The National bronze medalist posted a season’s best of 80.56 points.
Wesley Chiu (CAN) in the Men’s short Program in the World Junior Figure Skating, Calgary, Alberta (CAN) © ISU
“I am very happy with how I skated today. It was a fight for sure, but the support of the Canadian crowd made it special,” Chiu said.
“I was in the same spot as I was last year after the short program (at Junior Worlds, 2nd; then 4th overall). But this year, I've definitely gained a lot more experience and confidence from competing in senior, so it's definitely helped me going into this competition,” he continued.
Rossi’s Flamenco routine featured a triple Axel, triple loop, triple Lutz-triple toe as well as level-four spins and footwork. The Swiss Skater achieved a new personal best of 79.46 points.
Naoki Rossi of Switzerland in the Men’s short Program in Calgary, Alberta (CAN) © ISU
“I am really glad with my program. Finally, I was able to do a clean short. I never thought I’m going to be third,” Rossi shared.
ISU Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist Lucas Broussard (USA) struggled with his triple Axel to place fourth on 77.01 points. Andreas Nordeback (SWE) finished fifth on 76.82 points while ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champion Nikolaj Memola (ITA) is currently ranked sixth after stepping out of his combination jump (76.72 points).
Skaters/Couples need to have obtained a minimum total technical score in Short Program and Free Skating in order to compete at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
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).
Schedule of the event
The schedule of the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships is as follows:
Wednesday, March 1: Junior Pairs & Junior Women’s Short Programs
Thursday, March 2: Junior Men’s Short Program, Junior Pairs Free Skating
Friday, March 3: Junior Rhythm Dance & Junior Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, March 4: Junior Free Dance & Junior Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, March 5: Exhibition Gala
For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official website. Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldJFigure and #FigureSkating.
Where to watch the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2023:
The ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.
Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.
.png)
