Teenage figure skater Asada takes Japan's national title

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Teenage sensation Mao Asada issued an early warning to her rivals ahead of the world figure skating championships as she won Japan's national title for the first time in style here Friday.

She landed a technically demanding triple axel, or a three-and-a-half revolution jump, to earn 140.62 points in her flawless free programme to grab the title with a whopping total of 211.76 points.

Asada finished second behind South Korean rival and fellow 16-year-old Kim Yu-Na at the Grand Prix Finals two weeks ago in St. Petersburg. Both Asada and Kim missed the Turin Games for being just three months too young to be eligible.

"I could perform with a calm state of mind," said Asada, who beat the then world No.1, Irina Slutskaya of Russia, at last year's Grand Prix Final. "I was surprised to see the score going well over 200 points."

Miki Ando, 19, who in 2002 became the first woman to land a quadruple jump in competition, finished a distant second with 185.65 points, and Cup of China silver medalist Yukari Nakano came third with 179.72.

The trio will represent Japan at the world figure skating championships to be held on home ice in Tokyo next March.

Fumie Suguri -- who won the title last year for the fifth time, with Asada second -- was fourth with 172.56 points.

At last year's nationals, Asada became the first woman to land two triple axels in one performance.

"I jumped twice last year and I lowered my level a little bit this time. But it was my best peformance of the year," said Asada.

Asada is expected to battle it out with Kim and defending champion Kimmie Meissner of the United States at the world championships in Tokyo next March. Olympic gold medalist and fellow Japanese Shizuka Arakawa has turned professional.

"I will do my best not to be outdone at the world championships. I wish I could perform with a calm state of mind like today," Asada said.

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AFP 291244 GMT 12 06