Japanese star Rika Kihira breaks world record at ISU World Team Trophy
Japan’s figure skating ace Rika Kihira has set a new world record in the women’s short program, beating her own previous achievement by more than a point.
The 16-year-old flawlessly executed her signature triple axel to take the lead at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Team Trophy that is taking place in Fukuoka, Japan.
Kihira posted incredible score of 83,97 points beating the second-placed Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia by more than three points.
#RikaKihira's 3A (+2.86 GOE) at WTT 2019 #紀平梨花pic.twitter.com/hxErZcJaPk
— 🌸⚡️ (@hydrobIading) April 11, 2019
World Team Trophy is a biannual event hosted by the Japan Skating Federation under the guidance of the ISU.
The competition unites the figure skating top six Russia, the USA, Japan, France, Italy and Canada whose representatives collect points during a four-day event.
Results of the Ladies Short Program at #WTTFigure1. #RikaKihira (JPN) - SP: 83.97 WR2. #ElizavetaTuktamysheva (RUS) - SP: 80.543. #KaoriSakamoto (JPN) - SP: 76.95 pic.twitter.com/fWvaEpLBVF
— In The Loop (@InTheLoPodcast) April 11, 2019
Each competitor receives scores in accordance with the place he or she takes after the competition. The points will be combined across the four disciplines (pairs skating, ice dancing, women’s and men’s events) with the highest point total winning.
After two out of eight routines have been displayed, Russia sits first on 29 points sharing the leading position with Japan.
