Kagiyama defends title at NHK Trophy, Sakamoto leads Japanese sweep in women's event

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan recovered from an early fall in his free skate on Saturday to defend his title at the NHK Trophy.

The 2022 Olympic silver medallist fell on his opening quadruple flip but quickly recovered with a clean quad salchow and a quad toeloop-triple toeloop combination.

First after the short program, Kagiyama added another quad toeloop and three triple jumps to finish with 194.39 points for a total of 300.09.

Italy's Daniel Grassl moved up from fifth place with a strong free skate to finish second with 264.85 points while Japan's Tatsuya Tsuboi was third with 251.52 points.

Andrew Torgashev of the United States was fourth with 246.58 points.

In the women's event, three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto led a Japanese sweep of the podium with an electrifying performance in the free skate.

Skating to "All That Jazz," Sakamoto landed seven triple jumps en route to a season-best 152.95 points for a total of 231.88.

Mone Chiba was second with 212.54 followed by compatriot Yuna Aoki with 195.07.

American teenager Alysa Liu, who is making a comeback, was fourth with 190.75 points.

Sakamoto also won Skate Canada two weeks ago but was second in the free skate.

"It's been two weeks since Skate Canada and I didn't think I would be able to do this much [in the free skate]," Sakamoto said. "I was so nervous the last time in Canada and wanted to be able to relax more this time."

Two-time and reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States turned in a dominant free dance to win the ice dance competition.

First after Friday's rhythm dance, the U.S. champions executed level-four spins and lifts on their way to 129.63 points for a total of 215.95.

Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, also