World Figure Skating Championships 2023: Home hero Shoma Uno halfway to defence of world title

Japan’s Shoma Uno is halfway to defending his title on home ice at the World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama.

The 25-year-old delivered a season’s best performance in the short program to take the lead at the midway point.

Skating to “Gravity”, the two-time Olympic medallist landed a triple Axel to register a score of 104.63 points that puts him in pole position to repeat as world champion.

“I really wanted to make sure what I needed to do,” said Uno.

“Going into this with a calm mind was not the answer, so I really pushed myself to be motivated and in a fighting mode. With a strong mind I was able to deliver today so I was more happy than usual.”

At the head of the chasing pack, USA’s Ilia Malinin shook off his own short program struggles to step into silver medal position.

• ‘A joy to watch’ – Sakamoto seals back-to-back world titles
• ‘Out of this world’ – Watch the skate that saw Malnin breach 100-point score

The 2022 world junior champion nailed his “I Put A Spell On You” routine for a new personal best score of 100.38 points.

“I feel excited, I have been working to this moment my whole life,” the 18-year-old said.

– – –