Despite not being at his best, two-time defending world champion Shoma Uno won the men's short program Thursday, the first day of Japan's national figure skating championships, which double as the final qualifying meet for March's world championships in Montreal.
According to officials, Uno broke his left skate after this month's Grand Prix Final in Beijing. After his mistake-free program at Nagano Big Hat, Uno admitted to taking a cautious approach.
"My form was not great, so I reduced my speed, and kept things simple and precise," Uno said. "I didn't have a real good feel for my jumps, but given the circumstances, it was a good performance."
Uno still included two quad jumps en route to 104.69 points, and takes a sizeable lead into Saturday's free skate where he will look to seal his sixth national title and his second straight.
Sota Yamamoto, who earned his first win on the ISU Grand Prix circuit this year, was second, 10.11 back, with Yuma Kagiyama in third, 0.64 further back.
Women's Grand Prix Final champion Kaori Sakamoto will begin the defense of the national championship she has held for the last two years in Friday's short program.
Related coverage:
Figure skating: Sakamoto, Malinin win Grand Prix Final
Figure skating: Kagiyama, Uno finish 1-2 for Japan at NHK Trophy
Figure skating: Kaori Sakamoto eases to 2nd straight Grand Prix gold
