Takahashi becomes first Japanese man to clinch world crown

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Posted: Thursday 25th March 2010 | 22:46

DAISUKE Takahashi has claimed Japan's first ever men's world figure skating title, just five weeks after he became the first man to capture his nation's first Olympic medal at Vancouver 2010.

GOLD AT LAST: Daisuke Takahashi finally ends Japan's wait for a male world figure skating champion in Turin (Getty Images)

The 24-year-old held a 1.5-point advantage over Canada's Patrick Chan and produced a flawless free program to top the podium in Turin.

Skating to La Strada by Nino Rota, Takahashi glided his way to the top of the podium, amassing 168.40 points to win the free skate and for a total of 257.70.

In truth, gold has been his to lose. 2009 champion and Olympic gold medallist Evan Lysacek of the USA opted against defending his crown in Turin while 2006 Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko is busy nursing troublesome knees and a bruised ego in mother Russia.

But Takahashi did not hold back for a second and proved precisely why he earned his place on the Vancouver podium, producing delightful triple axles to seal his place in World Championships history.

For the second year in a row, Chan secured silver, holding at bay a rejuvenated Brian Joubert of France, who has come back from the brink after another nightmare Olympics.

Chan chalked up 159.42 points for his free skate to for a total of 247.22 to extend his lead over the Frenchman that was just 0.1 after the short program.

The Canadian disappointed on home soil in Vancouver and could only manage fifth place but he was back on form in Turin and despite a fall in his routine to Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the 19-year-old comfortably collected silver.

"I wasn't tired I was just getting used to doing the second triple axle and keeping my mentality on track," said Chan.

"Maybe I made a few mistakes towards the end but I really enjoyed myself out there."

Joubert ended up almost six points behind in third place, repeating his position of a year ago, despite nailing his quads in his free skate.

A heavy fall combined with Chan's extra difficulty levels proved his undoing but the 25-year-old will no doubt sleep easily after banishing his Olympic demons, after a 16th place finish in Vancouver.

By his own admission, the 2009 European champion was fazed by Plushenko's scintillating short program at the 2006 Olympics in Turin and Joubert stumbled his way into sixth place.

Four years later and it got a whole lot worse for Joubert prompting suggestions it was time to hang up his skates but the Frenchman bounced back and deservedly took his place on the podium.

"I'm very happy about a lot of things with this medal, it's great to be the top European and it makes my a lot more confident for the future," said Joubert.

"This medal is like a world title for me. It's for everyone in my team and my coach. The Olympics was difficult but I wanted to show myself that I could this skate and this is a good answer.

"And for sure I will be back next year. The two quads were very tough but it was very satisfying for me, for my coach and for everybody."

Comments

Plushenko and Takahashi

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/26/2010 - 23:27.

Plushenko could have won gold at the Olympics, but he didn't. Enough of the debating - he's a contender like all the rest and he didn't perform his best. But to cry on about it, that should make the news - it's unsportsmanlike and borderline comical.

I like the fact that you

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/26/2010 - 11:23.

I like the fact that you didn't mention that Takahashi has attempted the quad flip (very rare) and keep banging on about his triple axels (as lovely as they were), as if you're trying to downplay the significance of a quad. As an avid men's figure skating fan I strongly agree with the view that the quad is the way forwards; however I also think that it's the whole package that counts, hence I have no qualms about Joubert getting a bronze, and since Chan has declared he'll try the quad next year I'm indifferent to his silver (although one might question: if he can't even get all his triples in place how would he deal with the addition of a quad?).

If Plushenko was there and lost to Takahashi I don't think he would have complained because Takahashi attempted a difficult quad (slightly double footed but still amazing) and delivered a lively programme. Compare this performance to the gold (or even silver) Olympic performance Lysacek's was a snooze-fest. Just by comparing the technical scores I think we'll all agree that if Plushenko had all clean jumps and delivered a programme of the same calibre of his Rostelecom cup performance he would have got the gold. Lysacek was lucky that Plushenko was having a very off day, and that Takahashi missed his quad. He did his job, kudos to him, but that doesn't mean the quad should be disregarded from now on.

Please, no more of this 'Plushenko still angry, with mother Russia behind his back' 'cold-war has returned' reporting again.