The Junior queen has done it again: three-time ISU World Junior Champion Mao Shimada of Japan skated off with a record fourth title on home ice at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final on Friday in Nagoya. The Junior Women delivered an exciting battle with each of the six competitors going for a triple Axel.

Junior queen Mao Shimada (JPN) reigns supreme once more 

The defending champion secured the title with almost 20 points to spare. Korea’s Yuseong Kim rose from fifth place to claim her first medal in the Junior Final with silver, while Mei Okada (JPN) held on to the bronze. 

Mao Shimada (JPN) sealed a fourth title at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final in Nagoya © ISU

Shimada extended her reign at the Junior Grand Prix Final. Performing to “Miracle”, the three-time ISU World Junior Champion produced a triple Axel and seven more triple jumps as well as exquisite spins. She only missed the quad toe that none of her competitors attempted. The 17-year-old achieved a new season’s best of 144.68 points and totaled 218.13 points. 

Yuseong Kim stood in fifth place following the Short Program and came out in a fighting mood. She nailed a beautiful triple Axel right off the gate in her beautiful “Titanic” program. Seven triple jumps and strong spins followed. She posted a personal best with 134.60 points and was ranked third in the Free Skating but moved up to second overall at 198.66 points. It was Kim’s first medal in her third appearance at the ISU Junior Final.  

Yuesong Kim (KOR) finished in second place at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final in Nagoya © ISU

“Although I was nervous a little bit today, I could have a clean performance in the Free Program, so I am very happy. Because it was my last junior season, I really wanted to do great so I did my best,” Yuesong Kim noted. “Since my performance was good today, I was expecting to win a medal.”

Kim said she really enjoyed being at the event with her twin sister Yujae. “Last year when I came to the Junior Final, I was alone but now I am with Yujae, who also did a clean program including a triple Axel which makes me happy.” 

Mei Okada also went for a triple Axel but missed. She regrouped to land six more triple jumps in her “Miss Saigon” routine. Okada ranked fifth in the Free Skating with 127.61 points but held on to the bronze medal on 195.82 points. 

Third-placed Mei Okada (JPN) at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final in Nagoya © ISU

“My triple Axel wasn't going very well in practice this morning, so I decided to just go for it with all my might,” Okada said. “I thought I had a pretty good rotation for the Axel in the competition, and I thought I could land it, but I fell, which was disappointing. After that, I changed my mindset and was able to land the other six (triple jumps), so I'm glad“

Yujae Kim produced a great triple Axel and was second in the Free Skating. Overall, she moved up from sixth to fourth place, missing the podium by just half a point (195.38 points). 

Sumika Kanazawa (JPN) placed fifth on 195.23 points followed by Mayuko Oka (JPN) on 189.63 points. 

ISU Junior Grand Prix Final schedule:

Thursday, December 4: Junior Pairs, Junior Men’s & Junior Women’s Short Programs
 Friday, December 5: Junior Rhythm Dance, Junior Men’s & Women’s Free Skating
 Saturday, December 6: Junior Pairs Free Skating, Junior Free Dance
 Sunday, December 7: Exhibition Gala

Where to Watch

All the Junior events will be live-streamed on the  Skating ISU YouTube channel.

ISU Junior Grand Prix Standings

Check out the road to the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final:

Men       Women            Pair Skating      Ice Dance