French pair claim fifth world title

MONTPELLIER－Beijing Olympic champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron put on another stunning performance to win a fifth world championships ice dance title in front of thousands of their home fans on Saturday.

Having amassed a huge lead in the rhythm dance, the French duo scored a world-record 137.09 points for their free dance routine, which they performed to Elegie by Gabriel Faure. That saw them break the combined world record for the 13th time with a total of 229.82.

Papadakis and Cizeron had just refreshed the combined record at Beijing 2022 last month.

"After a season like this, after winning the Games, being here at home in France with our team, our coaches, there's so much history, so many people. I think the emotions we had on the ice today, it does not compare to anything. It was magical," Cizeron said. "I think we try to make the most of every moment with all the skaters that are here, we try to make the most of every memory, with every person, every moment."

With their fifth world title, Papadakis and Cizeron overtake compatriots Andree and Pierre Brunet, who won four between 1926 and 1932. The record is six world titles, achieved by Lyudmila Pakhomova and Alexandr Gorshkov, who competed for the Soviet Union between 1970 and 1976.

The Sud de France arena was almost at full capacity on Saturday, and the pair admitted the passion of the cheering fans lifted them to greater heights.

"It was a magical moment, we knew there would be a lot of people but we didn't expect that, so it was really emotional, so much so that I didn't know how to focus, but it was beautiful too," Papadakis said.

"I'm just so grateful and we're so lucky to have been surrounded by our closest friends here on the podium. I think that's very rare and it's what makes it worth it－gold medals, the event and the work. I think friendship, in the end, is what stays."

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue took silver with 222.39 points, while fellow Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates bagged bronze with 216.83.

Earlier on Saturday, two-time Olympic medalist Shoma Uno of Japan claimed his first world title after winning two silver medals in his five previous attempts.

The 24-year-old scored a personal best of 312.48 points to secure gold in the absence of two injured stars－his Japanese compatriot Yuzuru Hanyu and Olympic champion Nathan Chen of the United States.

Xinhua