Kaori Sakamoto performs during the women's free skae at Japan's national figure skating championships held in Saitama, Japan, on Dec. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Kaori Sakamoto qualifies for the upcoming Beijing Olympic Winter Games after taking her second title at Japan's national figure skating championships.
SAITAMA, Japan, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kaori Sakamoto won the qualification for the Beijing Olympic Winter Games after taking her second title at Japan's national figure skating championships at the Super Arena here on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who led the short program on Thursday, scored 154.83 points for her free routine for a winning total of 234.06.
It is her second national crown following the victory at the end of 2018. Sakamoto is expected to improve on her sixth finish at the PyongChang Olympics in 2018.
Wakaba Higuchi was second on 221.78 points and Mana Kawabe claimed the third place on 209.65.
The winner of the tournament qualifies for the Beijing Olympics and the other two places will be decided by the results of this season's Grand Prix and the national championships, and each skater's rankings.
Japan can send three skaters to Beijing in each singles' event. All the qualifiers will be announced after the tournament has completed on Sunday. ■
