What more is there to say about Mao Shimada?

Only that it is too bad the new minimum age rules for international events will keep the 16-year-old Japanese skater from competing in the 2026 Olympics, notwithstanding her having won a record third straight World Junior Figure Skating Championship Saturday in Debrecen, Hungary.

She did it a free skate score of 156.16, highest in the world since the 2021-22 season, seniors and juniors included  - even though junior free skates have one fewer scoring element than senior.

She did with a total score of 230.84 that ranks second in the world this season.  It trails only the 231.88 of her countrywoman, Kaori Sakamoto, winner of the last three senior world titles.  Shimada’s score was the highest ever at junior worlds, topping her 224.54 from two years ago.