Sakamoto wins gold in Montreal to become 1st woman to 3-peat as world champion since 1968
CBC
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan is the first women's figure skater to three-peat as world champion since American Peggy Fleming from 1966 to 1968.
Sakamoto captured gold again Friday at the Bell Centre Montreal, climbing from fourth place after the short program to the top of the podium with a near-flawless performance.
The 23-year-old led the pack by more than 10 points in the free program to finish with 222.96 points and earn a standing ovation from the 6,000 fans on hand.
Isabeau Levito of the United States — a 2022 world junior champion — claimed silver (212.16) for her first medal at a senior worlds. Chaeyeon Kim of South Korea took bronze (203.59).
WATCH l Sakamoto captures 3rd straight title:
Belgium's Loena Hendrickx placed first in the short program Wednesday, but slipped to fourth after missing her rotation on a double lutz, triple-toe loop combination and subsequently falling on a triple flip.
Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont., was 18th (171.78). Schizas needed a top-10 finish to earn Canada a second women's spot at next year's worlds.
Earlier Friday, defending ice dance champions and 2022 Olympic gold medallists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States finished first with a season-best 90.08 in the rhythm dance. Italy's Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri were second (87.52) ahead of Toronto's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Unionville, Ont.
WATCH l Gilles, Poirier earn 86.51 points in rhythm dance:
Gilles and Poirier won their second world championship bronze last year.
Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Saint-Hubert, Que., posted a season-best 83.20 while skating to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to rank fifth.
Competition ends Saturday with the free dance and the men's free program.
Watch live coverage of the World Figure Skating Championships on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.
WATCH l Gilles, Poirier base their free dance on 'Wuthering Heights':
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