Adam Siao Him Fa of France wins the Men’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing, China © ISU
ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) beat ISU World Champion Shoma Uno (JPN) to win the third ISU Grand Prix gold medal of his career, as the Cup of China continued Saturday in Chongqing (CHN) with the Men’s Free Skating. The Cup of China is the fourth of six events of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The top Figure Skaters of the world compete and collect points towards the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10.
Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) continues golden streak
France’s ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa continued his golden streak and beat two-time and reigning ISU World Champion Shoma Uno of Japan for his second Grand Prix title this season. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan claimed the bronze, and medals in his first season in the ISU Grand Prix.
Siao Him Fa stood in second place following the Short Program after missing his quad toe and was more than 10 points behind Uno. But the Frenchman was determined to fight. He nailed a quad Lutz and followed up with a quad toe-triple toe. As the expressive program to “Departure” and “Mercy” went on, the European Champion gained momentum and reeled off two more quads and four triples including two Axels.
The spins and steps were graded a level four and Siao Him Fa improved his personal best once more with a score of 207.17 points. Overall Siao Him Fa racked up 298.38 points.
“I am really happy about my performance today. This week was really hard, not because of the training, but all around, I had skate issues, food poisoning, it was quite catastrophic but I managed pretty well stayed strong mentally,” Siao Him Fa revealed.
“It feels great because it was a goal for this season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final. Last year I missed that opportunity. I feel glad to achieve it this season.”
Uno had to overcome a shaky start into his routine to “Timelapse” and “Spiegel im Spiegel” when he fell on a quad loop attempt and doubled the planned quad flip.
Shoma Uno of Japan in the Men’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing, China © ISU
The Japanese Champion rallied back to land two triple Axels and two quad toes, but one of them was slightly underrotated (q).
With 174.73 points, Uno ranked second in the Free Skating and slipped to second overall at 279.98 points.
“I did not do my job after the short program,” Uno admitted. “Adam showed more besides jumps in the competition. I have to concentrate on my jumps, but I want to show more in my presentation.
“I think I have got very good programs for this season. I know what to improve and what I have to do. I think I will get better as the season progresses,” he continued.
Performing to “Carmina Burana”, Shaidorov hit a quad toe-triple toe, triple Axel. However, he slightly underrotated (q) his quad Lutz, the solo quad toe, as well as the second triple Axel.
Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan in the Men’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing, China © ISU
The Kazakh Skater managed another personal best with 174.52 points and totaled 264.46 points.
“Today was a nerve-wracking day,” Shaidorov said. “I had to skate after Boyang Jin, but I did everything I am capable of and I am very pleased with this result.
“This is my first medal in an (international) senior competition. This medal motivates me to go forward and to become more competitive with Shoma and Adam.”
Kazuki Tomono (JPN) moved up from sixth to fourth place at 251.95 points, just ahead of Gabriele Frangipani (ITA) in fifth place (251.59 points). Skate Canada Champion Sota Yamamoto (JPN) pulled up two spots to finish sixth at 245.58 points.
Siao Him Fa collected the maximum of 30 points from his two Grand Prix victories events and qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final for the first time in his career. Uno pocketed 13 points and will compete again at the NHK Trophy (JPN) in two weeks. Shaidorov has 18 points from his two events.
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.
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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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