Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto leads Mone Chiba in a tight contest at the world championships, performing to ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ in her final professional event.

KAORI Sakamoto took a narrow lead in the women’s short programme at the world figure skating championships on Wednesday. The Japanese star scored 79.31 points in what she has stated will be her final professional competition.

Her compatriot Mone Chiba sits a close second with 78.45 points. American Amber Glenn is in third place with a score of 72.65.

Sakamoto delivered her best short programme score of the season skating to Andrea Bocelli’s ‘Time to Say Goodbye’. Chiba also achieved a season’s best with her routine set to disco music by Donna Summer.

The 25-year-old Sakamoto hopes to secure a winning farewell in Friday’s free skate. She reflected on her journey after the performance.

“I had high expectations for the Olympics, and many people around me expected a lot from me as well. Not being able to meet those expectations was therefore very, very sad for myself,” Sakamoto said.

She added that a week of clean training sessions gave her confidence. “I think today’s performance reflects what I am capable of.”

The third Japanese contender, Milan bronze medallist Ami Nakai, missed her opening triple Axel and dropped to eighth place. She remains in podium contention with 69.10 points.

In the pairs competition, Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin took the lead. The Olympic bronze medallists scored 79.78 points with a fiery tango.

They hold a slim advantage over Georgian pair Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, who scored 79.45. The two pairs are favourites in the absence of Olympic champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan.

Canadians Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud are in third place with 75.52 points. The pairs free skate is scheduled for Thursday.

 The Sun Malaysia