Japanese world champion Ami Yuasa finished second in the breakdancing Gold World Series women's event Saturday in Kitakyushu.
The 24-year-old lost the final to Liu Qingyi of China, whom she beat to win October's world championship in Seoul. Antilai Sandrini of Italy was third in the event in Fukuoka Prefecture.
"It's hard to put into words, but it's been a really good time," said Yuasa, who admitted feeling some fatigue after last week's national championships, where she was also the runner-up.
Yet, she still managed to showcase her skills with fast steps and handstands perfectly timed in synch with the music.
Japan's men's national champion, Shigeyuki Nakarai, second at the worlds, was third. Amir Zakirov of Kazakhstan triumphed after seeing off Jeffrey Mike Louis of the United States in the final.
Nakarai made some subtle mistakes in his semifinal and also alluded to the difficulty of recovering quickly from the nationals.
"I felt my progress and it was an experience I can build on," said Nakarai, who energized the crowd with his acrobatic moves and high-speed head spins.
"I felt my body's limitations, but I have absolutely nothing to be negative about."