Kao Miura holds lead over world champion Shoma Uno after the short programme at Skate Canada

Japan's Kao Miura scored an impressive 94.06 to fashion a sizable lead over reigning world champion Shoma Uno after the short programme at Skate Canada. "Today my body moved pretty well. I carried the momentum from Skate America," said Miura. Japan also top the pairs programme after the opening skate, with Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara currently top of the standings in Mississauga.

Japan's Kao Miura holds a sizable lead over compatriot and reigning world champion Shoma Uno after the short programme in the men's competition at Skate Canada.

Miura, who finished second at Skate America last weekend, scored an impressive 94.06 - a result just shy of his personal best - to hold the lead ahead of the free skate.

Uno sits in second place with a score of 89.98 following his opening skate, while Italy's Matteo Rizzo sits third on 81.18 points.

Skate Canada

Kao Miura thrills crowd to take men's short program gold in Canada

00:04:37

|

29/10/2022 at 10:33

"Today my body moved pretty well. I carried the momentum from Skate America," said Miura.

"There were a few rushed elements today, this is something I need to work on for tomorrow. When I competed at Skate America, Ilia Malinin did a quad Axel before me and that was some pressure. I was hoping not to skate last again, but that was a good experience at Skate America."

Japan also top the pairs programme after the opening skate, with Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara currently top of the standings in Mississauga.

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kiara take top spot in the Pairs short program in Canada

Miura and Kihara scored 73.99 points in their short programme, giving them a significant lead ahead of their next performance.

Americans Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe are in second place with a total of 67.39, with Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii third with a score of 66.66.

Miura said: "It was our first time performing the new Short Program and our goal was to have fun.

"For tomorrow it is the same - we're going to compete the program for the first time and we are not going to think about skating clean or mistakes, we just want to have fun."

Kihara added: "Last season we experienced the Olympic Games and Worlds and had great results.

"This gave us confidence before this season started and we felt we were there. In July with the [Miura's shoulder] injury our confidence was gone, we hit rock bottom. We consider ourselves on the chasing side and forgot about the highs from last year. This is where we are now."

- - -

Stream the winter sports season live and on demand on discovery+.

Skate Canada

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kiara take top spot in the Pairs short program in Canada

00:04:40

|

29/10/2022 at 10:54

Skate Canada

Highlights of Ice Dance - Rhythm Dance at the Skate Canada International

00:01:33

|

29/10/2022 at 09:50

Skate Canada

Highlights of Women’s Short Program at the Skate Canada International

00:01:25

|

29/10/2022 at 06:27