GANGNEUNG -- Shoma Uno fell on his first jump, but utilized his mental toughness to complete a medal-wining performance at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Saturday.
Rebounding from the fall, the 20-year-old figure skater earned 202.73 points in the men's free skate for an overall score of 306.90 at the Pyeongchang Olympics, winning the silver medal in his first Games.
He rose from third the previous day to overtake Spain's Javier Fernandez, completing a one-two finish by Japanese skaters as Yuzuru Hanyu claimed his second straight gold medal. "I had a satisfying performance through the end," Uno said after his program.
Uno fell on his first jump -- a quadruple loop -- but recovered from the mistake, saying: "I went on to the next jump without losing my temper. I believe it reflected my everyday practice of making jumps in any condition."
The worried expressions on the faces of Japanese fans transformed into smiles as Uno successively pulled off a number of jumps, eliciting a chorus of cheers as the young skater finished his routine. He pumped his fist high in the air and his face glowed.
Uno performed last among 24 skaters at the free skate. "I think he was under huge pressure as the last skater," said 32-year-old Misuzu Hakoiwa from Niigata. "I'm really impressed with Uno's concentration and mentality."
"I've always been captivated by his artistic expression. I love Shoma," said Hiroko Hotta from Nagoya. The 58-year-old tightly hugged her friend when they learned that Japanese skaters had finished first and second.
"We came here saying it would be like a fairytale if Japan won gold and silver," Hotta said. "Oh my, it actually happened."
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