Rinka Watanabe (2nd year, Doshikyo Keizai), who was competing in the Grand Prix Series Round 2, Skate Canada (October 28-30, Mississauga, Canada), won the Grand Prix Series for the first time in her first attempt.
Watanabe was chosen to compete in the Grand Prix Series at short notice after Shinba Higuchi withdrew from the competition due to injury. Despite the short adjustment period and her first Grand Prix Series challenge, she won the championship with a total score of 197.59 points (6th in the short program and 1st in the free program), which was a come-from-behind victory. She is the second skater since Rika Kihira to win in her Grand Prix Series debut.
Watanabe will be competing at the NHK Cup next month, so we expect more success from her in the future.
Please continue your support for Watanabe.
NHK Cup will be broadcast live as follows
11/18 2:05 p.m. (tentative) Women's Short Program NHK General
11/19 1:50 p.m. (tentative) Women's Free Program (NHK Sogo)
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Watanabe, who won the Grand Prix Series for the first time, is expected to do well at the NHK Cup.
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We are looking forward to her performance at the NHK Cup. (All photos courtesy of Sports Hosei Newspaper Association)