Figure skating-Sakamoto wins women's title at depleted world championships

Figure Skating - World Figure Skating Championships - South of France Arena, Montpellier, France - March 25, 2022 Japan's Kaori Sakamoto celebrates winning the women's free skating with her gold medal REUTERS/Juan Medina

MONTPELLIER, France (Reuters) - Japan's Kaori Sakamoto claimed her maiden figure skating world title when she prevailed in the women's singles event in a depleted competition at which Russia's invasion of Ukraine still loomed large on Friday.

Sakamoto, a bronze medallist at the Beijing Olympics, finished ahead of Belgium's Loena Hendrickx and American Alysa Liu, who were second and third respectively.