Teenage star Mao Asada landed a triple axel and completed a near-perfect free skate to win her first singles title at the Figure Skating National Championships on Friday.
Mao Asada exhibits a Biellmann spin during her free program performance at the Figure Skating National Championship at Rainbow Hall in Nagoya on Friday. The 16-year-old Asada won the overall title, followed by Miki Ando and Yukari Nakano. KYODO PHOTOAsada accumulated a winning total of 211.76 points, and fellow Nagoya native Miki Ando finished a distant second with 185.65 after a disappointing free skate at Rainbow Hall.
"I successfully landed the triple axel in competition for the first time this season," the 16-year-old Asada said.
"I was surprised to see the score going well over 200 points."
Cup of China silver medalist Yukari Nakano took third. Five-time national champion Fumie Suguri was fourth.
Earlier Friday, Nozomi Watanabe and Akiyuki Kido won their fourth straight ice dance title at the nationals on 162.02 points. The pair has decided to retire after the world championships in Tokyo next March.
Cathy and Chris Reed took second on 150.04, with Minami and Tatsuya Sakacho in third on 120.76.