Kim leads women's short program at ISU Four Continents Championships as Chinese skaters struggle

South Korea's Kim Chae-yeon seized a commanding lead in the women's short program at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul on Friday, while the Chinese trio of An Xiangyi, Zhu Yi, and Chen Hongyi ranked between 12th and 16th place.

A total of 21 skaters competed in the women's short program, an event in which Zhu had previously achieved her best result at the Harbin Asian Winter Games. She executed her elements with ease, landing multiple triple jumps and completing her routine with precision, ultimately finishing in 15th place with a score of 48.38 points ahead of the free skate.

Despite competing with an injury, Chen showcased impressive spins and footwork, earning a 16th place finish with 47.57 points. An put forth her best efforts as well, closing the day in 12th place with 57.63 points.

Meanwhile, Asian Winter Games gold medalist Kim topped the women's short program with an impressive score of 74.02 points, thrilling the enthusiastic home crowd.

In the pairs event, Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara captured gold with a total of 217.32 points, bolstered by a remarkable score of 142.59 points from the free skate. Canada's Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps rebounded from a lackluster short program to claim silver, while their compatriots Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud secured bronze.