Yuzuru Hanyu held fast to his commanding overnight lead against Daisuke Takahashi en route to his first national crown at the Japan Figure Skating National Championships on Saturday
In the end the gulf was too large for defending champion Takahashi to bridge in the men's free skate as the 18-year-old Hanyu scored a total of 285.23 points for an unofficial world record to claim the gold medal.
Takahashi, who along with Hanyu all but booked a spot in the world championships in March in London, Ontario, was second with 280.40 while Takahiko Mura captured the bronze with 242.70.
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