US figure skater accused of purposely slashing rival in leg ahead of World Championships

Mariah Bell (L) is accused of purposely cutting Lim Eun-soo's leg with her skate. (Picture: EPA)

An American figure skater has been accused of purposely colliding with a 16-year-old Korean rival ahead of the World Figure Skating Championships.

Lim Eun-soo sustained a cut to her calf during the warm-up session before of the competition opening in Japan.

Her agency accused Mariah Bell, 22, of intentionally slashing Ms Lim with the blade of her skate.

Ms Lee's representatives have claimed there are sufficient grounds to believe Ms Bell's act was premeditated.

There has been no official response from Ms Bell's representatives.

Ms Lim's agency accused Ms Bell of

Both skaters are under the tutelage of Rafael Arutyunyan based in Los Angeles.

A representative of All That Sports told Yonhap News that during the official rehearsal period, "Lim was slowly skating on the edge of the rink after completing her turn.

Lim Eun-soo finished in fifth place ahead of Ms Bell, who came in sixth. (AP)

"Mariah Bell, who was scheduled to rehearse after Lim, suddenly kicked and stabbed Lim's calf with her skate blades.

"We have asked the Korea Skating Union to file an official complaint against Mariah Bell for her intentional infliction of Lim Eun-soo's injury."

Ms Lim was treated for an injury before competing in the championships with a plaster protecting her wound.

The 16-year-old finished in fifth position with a personal best score in her first senior world champtionships, beating Ms Bell who finished in sixth place.