14-year-old Madalena Costa became world junior figure skating champion at the free skating event in Colombia on Wednesday, the Portuguese Skating Federation (FPP) announced.
The FPP emphasized that this was the first gold medal Portugal has ever won in free skating, according to a statement.
According to the federation, Madalena Costa completed the long program with a total of 236.38 points in the junior category.
“I feel very happy and accomplished and that all the work was appreciated and rewarded. I feel that I have managed to exceed expectations and honor my country and the people who believe in me and love me,” said the young woman, quoted in the statement.
“This achievement means a lot: many hours of training and giving up many things. It also means trust, not only my trust in myself, but also the trust of the selectors, the Federation, my mother” and coach, said Madalena Costa.
The young woman promised to “work to achieve many more things.”
Madalena Costa had scored 87.66 points in the short program, 20 points more than second place on Sunday, and led the standings entering the long program.
The Portuguese Catarina Craveiro, European champion this year, also finished fourth in the final rankings with 149.85 points.
Madalena Costa had already become European youth champion on September 10 with a total of 247.97 points.
Source: DN
