Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto performed a near-flawless free skate to defend her title in what she says will be her final NHK Trophy.

The U.S. had a golden finale to the Grand Prix Final on Saturday in Beijing.

Kaori Sakamoto has fended off a challenge from South Korea’s Lee Hae-in to become the first Japanese woman to defend her title at the figure skating world championships.

Shoma Uno has won gold at the Grand Prix Final by holding off Japanese countryman Sota Yamamoto.