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Shcherbakova recovers from fall to win ISU Grand Prix gold

Posted November 20, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Anna Shcherbakova of Russia competes in the Women Free Skating during the ISU figure skating France's Trophy, in Grenoble, French Alps, France, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) The Associated Press

GRENOBLE, France (AP) - Teenage world champion Anna Shcherbakova of Russia overcame an early tumble to clinch her second Grand Prix gold medal of the season by winning the ISU GP in France on Saturday.

The overnight leader slipped launching her opening quad Lutz and fell.

'œI was shocked after the performance. I didn't understand what happened on my first jump and after the program I was still not realizing what happened,'ť Shcherbakova said. 'œThe jumps went well in the warmup, and I was very confident. The mistake threw me off and I was very upset. But I did all my elements afterwards, which was very important.'ť

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan, the 2021 world silver medalist, later defended his strong lead from the short program to win the men's competition. Shun Sato rose from fourth to secure a Japanese one-two, with American Jason Brown taking the bronze.

The 17-year-old Shcherbakova recovered well with a quad flip and seven triple jumps, including triple-triple combinations. She scored 151.75 points for a total of 229.69 points, beating countrywoman Alena Kostornaia (221.85). It was the 18-year-old Kostornaia's second GP medal this season following bronze at Skate Canada.

Japan's Wakaba Higuchi climbed from sixth overnight with a personal best of 141.04 to take the bronze with 204.91.

'œToday was the best performance of the season and I am satisfied," she said. 'œI made some little mistakes, that's why my score was 141 points, but it is a good learning curve and I can improve.'ť

Four-time ice dance world champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France were dominant in winning their home event for the sixth time.

The five-time European Champions scored 132.17 points and totaled 221.25 overall.

The overnight places remained with Canadian pair Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier taking silver with 203.16 and Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin of Russia in bronze on 200.29.

Kagiyama landed a quad Salchow, quad toe-triple toe, a solo quad toe and five triples including an Axel to claim a second Grand Prix victory this season. Performing to music from 'œGladiator,'ť he earned 185.77 points and won with 286.41 overall.

'œI am really happy to win the second gold in my first Grand Prix season,'ť he said. 'œThe Grand Prix Final was part of my goals for this season and since it takes place in Japan, I really wanted to take part there and I am glad I make it."

In Saturday's later action, Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitri Kozlovskii were defending the pairs lead.

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Yuma Kagiyama of Japan competes in the Men Free Skating during the ISU figure skating France's Trophy, in Grenoble, French Alps, France, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) The Associated Press

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan, with gold medal, center, Shun Sato of Japan, left, with silver medal, and Jason Brown of US with bronze medal pose during the trophy ceremony in the Men Skating during the ISU figure skating France's Trophy, in Grenoble, French Alps, France, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) The Associated Press

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France compete in the Ice Dance Free Dance during the ISU figure skating France's Trophy, in Grenoble, French Alps, France, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) The Associated Press

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan competes in the Men Short Program during the ISU figure skating France's Trophy, in Grenoble, French Alps, France, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) The Associated Press

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