Figure skating-Japan's Uno wins gold in men's single event, French dance duo shine again

MONTPELLIER, France (Reuters) -Japan's Shoma Uno claimed his first major title when he secured the gold medal in the men's singles event at the world championships on Saturday, making the most of the absence of two of the favourites.

Later on Saturday, French duo Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, the only Beijing gold medallists present in Montpellier, followed up on their Olympic title by securing their fifth world crown in the ice dance.

With two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu and Beijing gold medallist Nathan Chen skipping the event through injuries, Yuma Kagiyama, runner-up at the Olympics last month, was among the leading contenders, alongside compatriot Uno.

The 18-year-old Kagiyama failed to impress, however, and seemed to know it as he left the ice with a wry smile on his face.

He scored 191.91 on his free skate for a total of 297.60 after failing to properly land his quadruple loop.

That was well below his Olympic score of 310.05 and certainly not enough to prevent Uno, who was leading after the short programme, from prevailing.

Uno did not disappoint and his performance, although not flawless, saw his coach Stephane Lambiel raise his arms in celebration.

He scored 202.85 for a total of 312.38 after posting new personal bests in both the short programme and the free skate.

"I'm very happy; I worked hard for this. And for once I finish first. I'm very satisfied and I want to thank my coach for this," said Uno after delighting the Montpellier crowd with a routine set to Maurice Ravel's Bolero, a popular choice in figure skating.

American Vincent Zhou took the bronze medal with a score of 277.38.

Emotions ran high as Ukraine's Ivan Shmuratko received a long standing ovation that even delayed the start of his free skate, although he was not penalised by the judges.

Shmuratko, who ultimately finished last, skated his short programme wearing Ukraine's blue-and-yellow training T-shirt.

Ukraine's skaters have been taking part in the world championships despite most of them taking days to get out of their country and reach France.

Russian and Belarusian skaters were banned from competing following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In the ice dance competition, Papadakis and Cizeron set a world-record score with a total of 229.82, a 2.84 improvement on their previous best mark from the Beijing Games.

"It's the most beautiful competition of our careers, the support has been incredible," Cizeron said after they enjoyed the warmest welcome from a rapturous crowd. "We couldn't be more grateful."

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue finished second ahead of fellow Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Clare Fallon)

Figure Skating - World Figure Skating Championships - South of France Arena, Montpellier, France - March 26, 2022  Japan
Figure Skating - World Figure Skating Championships - South of France Arena, Montpellier, France - March 26, 2022 Japan's Shoma Uno in action during the men's free skating REUTERS/Juan Medina

Figure Skating - World Figure Skating Championships - South of France Arena, Montpellier, France - March 26, 2022  Japan
Figure Skating - World Figure Skating Championships - South of France Arena, Montpellier, France - March 26, 2022 Japan's Shoma Uno in action during the men's free skating REUTERS/Juan Medina

Figure Skating - World Figure Skating Championships - South of France Arena, Montpellier, France - March 26, 2022  Gold medallist Japan
Figure Skating - World Figure Skating Championships - South of France Arena, Montpellier, France - March 26, 2022 Gold medallist Japan's Shoma Uno celebrates after winning the men's free skating REUTERS/Juan Medina

Figure Skating - World Figure Skating Championships - South of France Arena, Montpellier, France - March 26, 2022  Gold medallist Japan
Figure Skating - World Figure Skating Championships - South of France Arena, Montpellier, France - March 26, 2022 Gold medallist Japan's Shoma Uno celebrates after winning the men's free skating REUTERS/Juan Medina

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