Figure skating: Japan's Mao Asada wins third world title

Japan's Mao Asada (centre) reacts at the "kiss and cry" area after the women's free program at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, north of Tokyo, on March 29, 2014. Asada won her third women's world championship title Saturday, pu
Japan's Mao Asada (centre) reacts at the "kiss and cry" area after the women's free program at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, north of Tokyo, on March 29, 2014. Asada won her third women's world championship title Saturday, putting her disappointing Olympic result behind her. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

SAITAMA (AFP) - Japan's Mao Asada won her third women's world championship title Saturday, putting her disappointing Olympic result behind her.

Russia's 15-year-old European champion Julia Lipnitskaia finished second and Italian veteran and Olympic bronze medallist Carolina Kostner third at the world championships in Saitama near Tokyo.

Asada finished sixth at last month's Sochi Olympics, battling back from a disastrous 16th spot in the short programme.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.