Jia Shin (KOR) won the Junior Women’s Short Program at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Taipei City (TPE) Wednesday.
Jia Shin (KOR) edges Mao Shimada (JPN)
Two-time ISU World Junior silver medalist Jia Shin of Korea edged arch-rival Mao Shimada of Japan in the Junior Women’s Short Program by less than a point for the lead. Ikura Kushida of Japan came third.
Jia Shin (KOR) takes a narrow lead in the Women's Short Program at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei © ISU
Shin skated last out of the 46 competitors and provided the perfect ending to what was a high-level event. Her exquisite performance to “Fascination” by Fermo Marchetti was highlighted by a triple flip-triple toe combination, a double Axel, triple Lutz and level-four spins. The Youth Olympic Games silver medalist set a personal best score with 73.48 points for the lead.
“This is the last competition of the season and the last time I show my Short Program for this season,” the 15-year-old said. “I tried to focus on the spins, on the facial expression to improve my performance and I am happy to bring my best performance today.”
Jia Shin (KOR) in action on Wednesday © ISU
Shimada put out a perfect performance of her “Americano” Short Program, reeling off a double Axel, triple flip-triple toe combination and triple Lutz. The Youth Olympic Games Champion picked up a level four for her excellent spins and footwork. The reigning ISU World Junior Champion earned 72.60 points.
“I had a marvelous performance today and I am very happy about it, but I still want to do better next time,” Shimada said. “I always keep in my mind not to make mistakes. I not only want to get the levels and points for the steps, spins and jumps, but I want to do everything perfectly and fit the music better. I am planning to do two very difficult elements (triple Axel and quadruple toeloop) in the Free Skating and the key point will be to land them,” she added.
Mao Shimada (JPN) goes into Friday's Free Skate in the silver medal position © ISU
Skating to “Red Violin”, Kushida also shone on the ice in Taipei City. The 16-year-old completed a triple flip-triple toe, triple Lutz and two level-four spins for a personal best score of 66.61 points in what was her debut at the ISU World Junior Championships.
“I was really nervous today, but I did everything I can do,” the National Junior silver medalist said. “To complete every jump (in the Free Skating) is the key point, but it is also important to give a fabulous performance.”
Ikura Kushida (JPN) in action in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei © ISU
There were many more impressive performances. Iida Karhunen (FIN) remains close to the podium in fourth place at 64.64 points followed by Elina Goidina (EST) on 63.03 points. Anastasia Brandenburg (SUI) finished sixth at 62.57 points.
See the full results here.
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.
The International Skating Union (ISU) has supported the Skating Federation of Ukraine since the start of the war, implementing ISU Communication 2469, and also granting financial support to assist Ukrainian Skaters. The ISU reiterates its sympathy for and solidarity to all affected by the War in Ukraine. The ISU maintains its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. The ISU Council met on June 9-11, 2023 and discussed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendations of March 28, 2023 for International Federations on the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in international competitions.The ISU Council decided to explore the feasibility issues with regard to potential pathways to implement the IOC recommendations within ISU Sports.The Council will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and its impact on the ISU activity as well as the decisions and their implementation within the Olympic Movement. In the meantime, ISU Communication 2469 remains in force.
Schedule of the event
The schedule of the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships is as follows:
Wednesday, February 28: Junior Pairs & Junior Women’s Short Programs
Thursday, February 29: Junior Men’s Short Program, Junior Pairs Free Skating
Friday, March 1: Junior Rhythm Dance & Junior Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, March 2: Junior Free Dance & Junior Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, March 3: Exhibition Gala
For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official website. Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldJuniorFigure and #FigureSkating.
Where to watch the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2024:
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.
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