Hana Yoshida of Japan wins the Women’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing, China © ISU
Newcomer Hana Yoshida (JPN) stormed to her first ISU Grand Prix gold as the Cup of China continued in Chongqing (CHN) Friday with the Women’s Free Skating. The Cup of China is the fourth of six events of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series with the World’s best Figure Skaters competing and vying for a spot in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10.
Hana Yoshida (JPN) upsets favorites to take the gold
Japan’s Hana Yoshida stormed to gold in only her second ISU Grand Prix event at the senior level, overtaking favored teammate Rinka Watanabe and ISU World bronze medalist Loena Hendrickx of Belgium.
Skating to “Shakuhachi” and “La Terre vue du ciel”, Yoshida went for a triple Axel right out of the gate, but she slightly underrotated and stepped out of it. Unfazed, the teenager went on to reel off seven triple jumps and level-four spins and footwork. The Japanese skater posted a new season’s best score of 139.32 points and racked up 203.97 points overall to pull up from third place.
“I’m really surprised that I won today,” Yoshida told the press. “I have lots of things to work on. I want to be able to aim for higher points.
"After my triple Axel I was a little bit disappointed. I wanted to land it clean but after that I was able to concentrate on the elements after and forget about the Axel. That was good.”
The 18-year-old explained the concept of her program: “I perform as a Japanese crane. The Japanese crane is symbol of peace and good luck. I want to send peace and good luck to the audience, and there were so many in the audience today. In the step sequence I felt like flying to the top (of the rink).”
Watanabe’s performance to “Brotsjor”, “Goliath” and “Meeting Laura” included seven triple jumps and level-four spins.
Rinka Watanabe of Japan in the Women’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing, China © ISU
The 2022 Skate Canada Champion earned a season’s best of 138.13 points for a total of 203.22, just behind Yoshida, to remain in second place.
“Since Skate Canada two weeks have passed. I feel very regretful for my performance at Skate Canada and I trained very hard to improve.
“For today I feel better because I worked so hard,” Watanabe said. “Now I want to keep improving and work hard for the Japanese Nationals. I want to include the triple Axel into my program.”
Hendrickx completed four clean triples in her routine to “Break My Soul” by Madonna and Beyoncé. However, she underrotated a triple toe and a triple flip and two spins were rated a level three.
Loena Hendrickx (BEL) in the Women’s Free Skating in Chongqing, China © ISU
The two-time ISU World medalist scored 130.84 points and ranked third in the Free Skating. She slipped to third overall at 201.49 points.
“I feel disappointed about my skate today,” Hendrickx shared. “I didn’t feel well for the past five days. I don’t want to use it as an excuse. I didn’t eat well here, I wasn’t hungry. I tried to eat but it was pretty hard.
“I didn’t feel ready and confident. I had less energy. It was enough for the Short, but not for the Free.”
Skate America bronze medalist Niina Petrokina (EST) remained in fourth place at 188.04 points while Madeline Schizas (CAN) moved up from seventh to fifth on 179.58 points. 2023 ISU Four Continents silver medalist Yelim Kim (KOR) finished sixth (176.68 points).
Yoshida got 15 points for her victory and with her fourth place from Skate America has 24 points. She will need to wait and see if that is enough to get her into the Final. Watanabe collected 13 points and has 18 overall. Hendrickx most likely qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final with her gold from Skate America and her bronze from Cup of China (26 points).
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series consists of six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Grand Prix de France, Cup of China, the Grand Prix Espoo (FIN) and NHK Trophy (JPN). Skaters collect points towards to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN).
ISU Grand Prix Standings
For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.
All Media Accreditations details and deadlines for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series can be found here.
Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed with English commentary on the official ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating YouTube Channel in most countries. Find out Where to watch the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions.
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ISU Grand Prix Schedule
The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are available below:
20 - 22 Oct, 2023 Skate America, Allen (Texas, USA)
27 – 29 Oct, 2023 Skate Canada International, Vancouver (CAN)
03 - 05 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
10 - 12 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Cup of China, Chongqing (CHN)
17 - 19 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
24 - 26 Nov, 2023 NHK Trophy, Osaka (JPN)
07 - 10 Dec, 2023 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Beijing (CHN)
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