The China Mail - Japan's Mihara puts Olympics bitterness aside with second figure skating gold

Mihara's fourth at Japanese nationals ended her hopes of competing in a first Winter Games in Beijing but she held her nerve in Tallinn to reclaim a title she won five years ago.

The 22-year-old led all the way, scoring a career high 218.03 points and better South Korean skaters Lee Hae-in (213.52) and Kim Ye-lim (209.91), who claimed their first ISU medals with silver and bronze respectfully.

"I was so nervous today as the nationals were in the back of my mind, like a flashback," said Mihara.

"I was crying even before I went on the ice, but I was able to overcome that bitterness from nationals and bring home a gold medal to Japan."

Mihara extended her lead from the short programme, despite a glitch on her final spin in her free skate to 'Fairy of the Forest' and 'Galaxy' by Yuko Toyoda, scoring a career best 145.41.

It was her fourth medal in the competition following her gold in 2017, with silver and bronze in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

"The order was 1,2,3 so I didn't want to end up with fourth placement this time," she said.

"This gold has a totally different meaning than 2017.

"This time I put pressure on myself. I needed to go on the top of the podium and get the gold. I was overwhelmed with joy on seeing the results, with tears rolling."

Lee and Kim bettered South Korean national champion You Young who finished sixth after an error-strewn free skate performance and a fall on her triple toeloop.

Sixteen-year-old Lee skated to "Homage to Korea" by Ji Pyeong Kwon for her first participation in the competition, with seven clean triple jumps, scoring a career best 143.55 for the free skate, and improving her previous personal best by 10 points.

"I had experience in the junior world championship in Tallinn," she said.

Kim, 19, held third place despite finishing fourth in the free dance to the Puccini's Turandot, as she prepares for the Olympics after finishing second at nationals.

"This competition has given my confidence," she said.

"It was very close to nationals and I was worried about my condition. I had a clean programme today so this gives me confidence."

Most of the top skaters from Asia and North America have opted to skip the competition, which takes place just two weeks before the Beijing Olympics, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

China have not sent a team to Estonia.

T.Wu--ThChM