Evgenia Medvedeva wins gold on debut at World Figure Skating Championships
By AFP
Last Updated: 03/04/16 9:39am
Russian teenager Evgenia Medvedeva underscored her status as the new star of women's skating on Saturday with a record-breaking victory at the World Figure Skating Championships.
The 16-year-old broke the record for the highest free skate score ever, amassing 150.10 points to surpass by .04 the mark set by Kim Yuna at the 2010 Olympic Games.
The teenager also scored a notable first by becoming the first world junior champion to win the senior title the following year.
Medvedeva's spectacular performance set to the soundtrack of Madonna's film W.E. launched her from third after the short programme to the top of the podium with 223.86 points in front of a capacity crowd at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Medvedeva - heavily tipped to win gold heading into the competition - lived up to expectations, nailing every one of her seven triple jumps and two double Axels.
"I don't have any emotions right now. I left it all on the ice with my performance today. I think I won't realise soon that I won. One year ago I was still skating in juniors," Medvedeva said through an interpreter.
"I was actually less nervous than usual and I felt very comfortable out there. I was focused and I took one element at a time.
"This is really an incredible moment for me and it's going to be a remarkable moment in my life," added Medvedeva who also won the Grand Prix and European titles this season.
When advised that her score was record-setting, the teen could say only "Wow."
Veteran Ashley Wagner of the United States skated last and into the silver medal position with an emotionally-charged performance to the Moulin Rouge soundtrack.
"This was absolutely incredible. I don't think anyone can prepare you for skating last at the world championships after your rivals have skated a great performance," Wagner said.
The bronze medal went to unheralded Russian Anna Pogorilaya who also skated her Sheherazade programme without any significant faults. Her finale earned 139.71, giving her a total of 213.69.
