World champion Mao Asada posted a decisive victory in the short program at the NHK Trophy on Friday night with a sparkling program which included three triple jumps.
Looking for a top-two finish here to clinch a spot in next month's Grand Prix Final, Mao performed to "Clair de Lune" in front of a packed house at Yoyogi Gymnasium and did not disappoint.
Following an uneven performance in a second-place showing at the Trophee Bompard in Paris earlier this month, Mao executed her routine in clinical fashion.