Debrecen: Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia successfully defended their title in the pairs competition at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships held in Debrecen, Hungary. The pair clinched victory with a total score of 191.01 points, showcasing their dominance in the event.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Ukraine’s Sofiia Holichenko and Artem Darenskyi secured the silver medal, while Canada’s Martina Ariano Kent and Charly Laliberte Laurent took home the bronze. Meanwhile, China’s Zhang Jiaxuan and Huang Yihang, who previously excelled in the ISU Junior Grand Prix, placed fifth with a score of 151.41 points after experiencing challenges during their free skate.
In the women’s event, Mao Shimada of Japan continued her winning streak by capturing her third consecutive World Junior Championships title. Achieving a personal best with 156.16 points in her free skate, Shimada amassed a total of 230.84 points overall. South Korea’s Shin Ji-a rose from seventh to earn her fourth straight junior worlds silver medal, and Elyce Lin-Gracey of the United States claimed the bronze.
China’s Wang Yihan, aged 14, finished 12th after a fall on her triple Flip. She acknowledged the need for improvement and expressed her resolve to enhance her skating skills in the future.
In the men’s competition, Japan’s Rio Nakata emerged victorious with a personal best of 162.95 points in his free skate, resulting in a total score of 248.99 points. Nakata’s performance overtook the previous champion, Seo Min-kyu of South Korea. Slovakia’s Adam Hagara secured third place.
In ice dance, Noemi Maria Tali and Noah Lafornara made history by winning Italy’s first ISU World Junior Championships title. The American and German pairs followed in second and third positions, respectively.