Figure skating: Verner wins men’s short programme at Grand Prix event in Sendai, Japan

Czech figure skater Pavel Verner has won the men’s short programme in Grand Prix figure skating in Sendai, Japan. He finished just ahead of home skater Daisuke Takahashi, who won the competition’s NHK trophy last year. Verner finished the short programme with 78.15 points, followed by Takahashi with 77.89. US skater Stephen Carriere is currently third in the standings.