Brian Joubert validated that there is such a thing as a lucky charm. Daisuke Takahashi, meanwhile, gave the host nation another athlete named Daisuke to be passionately proud of -- someone who doesn't throw a wicked assortment of pitches.

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DAISUKE TAKAHASHI performs his free skate program to "Phantom of the Opera" on Thursday evening at the World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo. Japan's Takahashi claimed silver in the men's competition behind gold-medalist Brian Joubert, the first Frenchman to win in 42 years. Inset photo: Joubert celebrates at the end of his routine. YOSHIAKI MIURA PHOTOS
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Joubert scored a personal-record 240.85 points and captured the gold medal in the men's competition at the World Figure Skating Championships on Thursday evening at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.