Asada flashes winning form at Four Continents

Last Updated: Friday, January 29, 2010 | 3:59 AM ET

CBC Sports

Japan's Mao Asada performs her winning free skate on Friday. (Jung Yeon-Je/Getty Images)

Mao Asada of Japan won the women's singles crown at the Four Continents figure skating championships in Jeonju, South Korea, on Friday.

The four-time Japanese champion landed a flawless a triple axel en route a season-best score of 126.74 points, more than enough to wrest first place from compatriot Akiko Suzuki (173.72).

Suzuki, who led entering the free skate, faltered on a combination but retained enough composure to secure the silver medal ahead of bronze medallist Caroline Zhang of the United States (160.78).

Amelie Lacoste, from Delson, Que., slipped to seventh (152.45), followed by Myriane Samson of St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., in eighth (150.90).

Diane Szmiett (140.10) of Watford, Ont., finished 10th.

Medal Count

Top 10 Medal Winners

Country				Total
UNITED STATES	9	15	13	37
GERMANY	10	13	7	30
CANADA	14	7	5	26
NORWAY	9	8	6	23
AUSTRIA	4	6	6	16
RUSSIA	3	5	7	15
SOUTH KOREA	6	6	2	14
CHINA	5	2	4	11
SWEDEN	5	2	4	11
FRANCE	2	3	6	11

Full Medal Standings

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