Daisuke Takahashi defended his NHK Trophy title on Sunday with a solid showing in the free skate.
The Okayama native, who set a personal best with an amazing short program on Saturday, could not quite equal that feat this day, but still scored a comprehensive victory over compatriot Takahiko Kozuka.
The 2010 world champion rang up a tally of 259.75 total points to beat Kozuka (235.02) by nearly 25 points and clinch a spot in next month's Grand Prix Final in Quebec City.