Reigning women's world champion Kaori Sakamoto won the figure skating Challenge Cup on Sunday, with Mai Mihara and Mana Kawabe joining her in the Japanese podium sweep.
In first place after Saturday's short program, Sakamoto, the Beijing Olympics bronze medalist, cruised to the title after also finishing first in the free skate with 151.50 points for a total of 228.35.
"I managed to pull things together overall," the 22-year-old said after a morale-boosting win ahead of the world championships in March in Saitama. "The score was good too.
"I can add a bit more points (through the grade of execution). Quality will be decisive at the worlds and I hope to take it on showing the best jumps, spins and steps I currently can."
Mihara, also appearing at the upcoming worlds, moved up from third after the short program to finish second with 203.23. Having contracted the flu earlier this month, the resulting lack of training held her back as she settled for third in the free skate.
"My condition wasn't really good," she said. "It was positive that I could hang in there, not giving up."
Eighteen-year-old Kawabe had the second-best score in the free skate, jumping from ninth to third to finish on 192.46.
