Sakamoto Leads Women's Short at Figure Worlds

PRAGUE, Czech Republic — Japan's Kaori Sakamoto took the lead in the women's singles short program at the World Figure Skating Championships on Wednesday, positioning herself for a potential fourth world title in what she has described as her final competitive event. The 25-year-old three-time champion scored 79.31 points for her performance to "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, edging out compatriot Mone Chiba by less than a point with Chiba's 78.45 in a disco-themed routine to Donna Summer.

The event, held at O2 Arena in the post-Olympic season, features a field affected by several high-profile withdrawals, including Olympic women's champion Alysa Liu of the United States, who cited a demanding media schedule, and pairs gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan. Sakamoto, who earned silver at last month's Milano Cortina Olympics, expressed satisfaction after delivering her season-best score with clean jumps, including a triple Lutz, double Axel and triple flip-triple toe loop combination. "Obviously it was a special season and I was given this special song to skate to for this last season," she said. "I am very happy that I was able to...