Two-time defending world champion Kaori Sakamoto took a commanding lead at the Japan national figure skating championships Friday by winning the women's short program with a score of 78.78.
Sakamoto, who has also won the last two nationals and is fresh off her maiden Grand Prix Final title in Beijing this month, delivered a flawless program. The meet at Nagano Big Hat is the final qualifying event ahead of March's world championships in Montreal.
"I'm relieved to have had my best short program of the season here. I'm completely satisfied with 78 points," Sakamoto said. "Recently, I've been making little mistakes here and there and stepping out of my spins. But I was able to do everything I'm capable of and with that quality, I'm aiming for a third straight championship."
Mako Yamashita was second in the short program with 69.92, while Mone Chiba was third with 68.02.
Fifteen-year-old Mao Shimada, the reigning world junior champion, opened with her trademark triple axel, but fell on a triple lutz and struggled to seventh place.
"I wanted to get a personal best after nailing the triple axel, but I fell and my mind went blank," said Shimada, who was third at last year's nationals.
The men's free skate is on Saturday, when two-time defending men's world champion Shoma Uno is in the lead as he goes for his second-straight national championship and the sixth of his career.
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